Effectiveness of Instruction using Electronic Circuit Simulation Software

Traditional teaching (lecturing) method on the design of electronic circuit provides learners with little satisfaction, because they cannot check and confirm the validity of electronic circuit they have designed. A better way to acquire design skills is to actually make the designed electronic circuit and test the validity of design. In spite of the usefulness of such a practical approach, it has a disadvantage that there is only limited time for teaching (lecturing) and it is difficult to fabricate electronic circuit, perform electronic measurement, and test the validity of design in the limited lecture period. An alternative to overcome these disadvantages is to use simulation software that enables learners (students) to operate functionally the designed electronic circuit and verify the appropriateness of design. The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of simulation approach and clarify some problems related to such an approach.