Low cost educational video for first year undergraduate students using oscilloscopes

In this paper, we report the development and application of a multimedia resource designed to complement learning activities in undergraduate engineering and physics laboratories on the setup and operation of a digital storage oscilloscope. The development and design of this resource was kept as simple as possible. Cognitive load theory, in which the learning tool was designed to minimise extraneous cognitive load in students, was used as the guiding design framework. This resource has demonstrated a significant improvement in students’ understanding and confidence in the use of the digital storage oscilloscope and associated test equipment. Student feedback has indicated areas of improvement required, such as in text-to-speech quality.