Enhancement of traditional mode of teaching based on the experience of project-based learning
Project based learning (PBL) has become more popular due to its student centered nature of learning compared to traditional modes of learning. However, it is not always feasible to implement it due to several reasons. At the University of New South Wales, the PBL mode was trialled on an introductory Digital Signal Processing course for two consecutive years and the evaluation was previously reported. After that, based on the experience of PBL implementation, some elements of PBL have been incorporated with traditional mode of teaching to enhance the traditional mode and that enhanced traditional mode have been continued. The experience of enhancing the traditional mode with components derived from PBL, particularly the inclusion of conceptual design presentation and laboratory tests, are promising. This paper presents the task description of PBL and experience of how some of the components of PBL can be utilized to enhance the traditional mode of teaching.
Teaching Signal Processing Through Frequent and Diverse Design: A Pedagogical Approach
In this article, we describe and discuss the design-based approach for signal processing education at the undergraduate level at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney. The electrical engineering (EE) undergraduate curriculum at UNSW Sydney includes three dedicated signal processing courses as well as a design course that involves a major signal processing task. Design- and project-based teaching permeate the curriculum and form a primary method of content delivery to not only cement the understanding of theoretical concepts but also strengthen students? ability to apply these concepts to practical problems.
Interaction of Diclofop-Methyl and MCPA on Wild Oats (Avena fatua)
Diclofop-methyl {methyl 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenoxy] propanoate} loses part of its activity on wild oats (Avena fatua L.) when it is applied in combination with ester or amine formulations of MCPA {[4-chloro-o-tolyl)oxy] acetic acid.} Uptake of diclofop-methyl is reduced in the presence of commercial formulations of MCPA, particularly amine formulations, which are only partly compatible with the diclofop-methyl formulation. With added MCPA, regardless of formulation, hydrolysis of diclofop-methyl to the acid diclofop is slowed down, both in intact wild oat plants and in a crude leaf extract. At the same time, conversion of any acid formed to inactive conjugates is accelerated in the presence of MCPA. It is concluded that the loss of activity of diclofop-methyl by MCPA can be accounted for by the effects of MCPA on uptake and metabolic conversion of diclofop-methyl.