Using technical documents as support for developing competences in HW/SW design

The acquisition of professional competences as a goal of the learning process implies the need for practical activities that can involve and motivate the students. For that purpose, it is necessary to organize activities that the students perceive as realistic and sufficiently complex, while enabling autonomous development. However, the development of complex and realistic activities usually requires long times and limits the student autonomy. To overcome these limitations, the paper proposes using datasheets and application notes in electronic environments and especially in the design of HW/SW communications. These documents transmit important information to the student through case study methods and simplify the resolution of complex problems without making the students feel that the activity is already solved, thus, maintaining their motivation.