Using Arduino as a platform for programming, design and measurement in a freshman engineering course

Abstract

Arduino is a compact, inexpensive, open-source electronics prototyping platform built around an Atmel AVR microcontroller. The features, cost, and small size makes Arduino a potent tool teaching as well as practical device use in engineering projects. This paper reports on adapting the Living with the Lab (LWTL) curriculum to the Arduino platform. LWTL was developed with the Boe-Bot mobile robotics platform and the Basic Stamp microcontroller. The Arduino is more modern and has better technical capabilities, but there are fewer educational resources for the Arduino than there are for the Boe-Bot. The updated curriculum was successfully implemented at two universities. End-of-term surveys indicate that students had a positive experience of the course, especially the hands-on exercises. However, students were not as positive about the current state of instructional support for Arduino programming. The Arduino remains a viable and preferable platform. Recommendations for improvement of curricular materials for the Arduino are made.