A Teaching Laboratory in Analog Electronics: Changes to Address the Bologna Requirements

Training new electronics engineers presents several major challenges. This paper proposes a new approach for practical lessons in second-level analog electronics, where students get a closer view of real-world practices in electronic engineering. The authors describe and evaluate a more dynamic way of teaching practical lessons in analog electronics in the first year of an electronic engineering degree. The method consists of creating a virtual company that contracts students to develop prototypes. The design process involves theoretical concepts from the students´ lessons, and poses challenges with respect to costs and teamwork. The method brings the students closer to the working environment of electronic engineering, and also reinforces both the students´ responsibility and their interest in practical matters in electronics.