Making and gaming in signal processing classes

Signal processing, communication systems, and estimation and detection theory are important concepts in electrical engineering, and are taught in most graduate and upper-level undergraduate electrical engineering programs. Students often struggle with the abstract concepts of signals, however, largely because the courses are very theoretical. Traditionally, these theoretical courses are delivered in a lecture-based format which provides little opportunity for students to attain a concrete understanding of signals. Occasionally, signals courses have an associated lab, but they often rely heavily on numerical simulations, which leaves students struggling. In this paper we lay out an active learning framework for engaging students using the “tinkering” concept used in the emerging maker movement and the idea of “gamification.” We present baseline data, course structure, activity lists, and details of a specific activity.