Teaching embedded systems with active learning: The SMEAGOL approach

We describe a novel laboratory and project course called SMEAGOL (small, embedded, advanced and generic objects laboratory) that we have developed at the RWTH Aachen University in Germany for 3^rd and 4^th year students. The aim of the course is to teach students not only programming and hardware design, but also basic team-work and project management skills in the field of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) through active learning using mini- or full-blown project. The laboratory is split into two phases. First, in a more passive part students are introduced to the field of WSNs and familiarized with basic skills through carefully designed exercises. The second part requires independent work in a team. In this part limited design, research and organizational efforts are required from the students in order to complete a larger project. The content of the projects is not pre-fixed, and the students are strongly encouraged to ldquoinnovaterdquo and develop their own ideas under the guidance and supervision of teaching assistants. As a consequence students typically become very motivated to finish the project and go into the trouble of doing substantial amount of extra work at home.