Use of real world examples in engineering education: The case of the course Electric Circuit Theory

Real world examples are used in science and engineering education with the intention of promoting effective learning. Using qualitative instruments, the study described in the article characterised the attitudes of seventy-two electrical engineering students at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology towards the incorporation of real world examples in a basic electric circuits course. The examples focused on the areas of study offered by the Department of Electrical Engineering and electrical engineers' fields of practice in the industry. Based on the findings, in the cognitive domain the examples make a triple contribution spanning the timeline. The examples illustrate the relevance of mathematics and physics courses studied in the past, contribute to improved understanding in the current course, and ultimately help in selecting future courses in the programme and in becoming acquainted with the students' future work as electrical engineers.