Project-based learning applied to data converter modeling in electronic engineering studies

Filters and Data Converters is an elective course offered within the specialization module Electronics Technology of the Degree in Industrial Electronic Engineering and Automatic Control Systems by the University of Cantabria (Spain). This last-year course must be specially oriented towards real-world applications and the students' development of 21's Century skills that are going to be essential during their professional activities. In order to increase students' motivation and commitment with the course, a Project-Based Learning strategy has been developed during 2015–2016 year to the second part of the course, devoted to data converters. More specifically, the activity was directed to carry out a data converter model that took into account non-idealities. This experience had shown satisfactory results for both students and teachers in terms of motivation and academic results.