Development of an Open-Education Resource Laboratory Manual for Digital Design Course

This study delineates the creation and efficacy of an innovative Open-Education Resource (OER) Digital Design Laboratory Manual in enhancing the educational outcomes of sophomore students in an Electrical and Computer Engineering Digital Design Laboratory course. The primary objectives of this study were threefold: to elevate the quality of students' learning experiences, to alleviate their financial constraints by offering complimentary course materials, and to ensure the adaptability of these resources in tandem with evolving technological advancements. Traditionally, laboratory manuals, especially those tailored for specific engineering programs, are highly specialized. However, given the rapid evolution in the field of digital design, frequent updates to these manuals are imperative. The market offered several electronic versions of digital design lab manuals, but these predominantly focused either on discrete logic activities or Field-Programmable Logic Device (FPLD) board activities. Our curriculum required a synthesis of both. Furthermore, existing manuals were often constrained by their alignment with specific CAD software, development boards, and bench equipment, limiting their applicability. Intel Inc., through its educational initiatives, offers complimentary resources primarily centered on FPLD board activities, catering to a more advanced demographic. This gap in available resources led to the development of our new OER lab manual, which was implemented in the Fall of 2022. To gauge the success of this initiative, both qualitative and quantitative assessment methods were utilized. These evaluations aimed to establish benchmarks for the impact of the new material on students' academic performance and overall satisfaction. The findings indicate a notable enhancement in student performance and satisfaction levels among those who utilized the new lab manual, underscoring the efficacy of this innovative educational resource in the realm of digital design education.