A Tiered Learning Framework for Self-Guided Engineering Design Education

The Tiered Learning Framework is a multilayered system designed to aid students in assessing their progress and understanding within the learning process. Each layer corresponds to the skills students need to develop, and the framework encourages students to self-assess their current level and identify what they need to progress to higher tiers of learning. This paper explores the application of the Tiered Learning Framework in an Electrical Engineering Design Proficiency course at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. The course encompasses design tasks in critical areas such as electronic circuit design, signal processing design, and power system design. The paper focuses on the design and assessment of the signal processing design task as an example. In a class of 49 students, 96% agreed that the framework helped them achieve their learning goals, and 91% found it challenging yet encouraging for their learning. Compared to a non-tiered framework, 71% of the total students favour a tiered framework.