Project-centered pedagogy and practice in teaching microprocessor and embedded systems design to undergraduate students

With rapid advances in science and technology, the concept of Microcontroller Unit (MCU) and the practice of embedded systems design are constantly changing and evolving, which present unique challenges to engineering education in related areas. To address this problem, in this paper, a project-centered pedagogy is proposed and its practice reported. The central idea of the proposed strategy is to develop a series of projects each focusing a particular issue or topic in the subject, then, after outlining the basic principles, it is up to the students to find out all the necessary details and weave all their acquired information and know-how into easily presentable outcomes to meet the requirements of each project. Upon completing the series of projects, students become adept in finding required information and conducting necessary research to produce desired project outcomes. In the mean time, students are better trained to adapt to the ever changing technologies and industry practices, and be better prepared to face the real world upon graduation.