Introductory Electric Circuits On The Internet Via Mallard Software

The introductory sophomore linear circuits course at the University of Southern California was taught for the first time via the Internet in the spring of 1999, using Mallard software to deliver the homework assignments. Mallard was chosen because it has many attractive features that make it well suited to support the teaching of an introductory circuits course. The student response to the use of Mallard was extremely positive. Student interest in the homework was increased markedly. Especially liked by students was the capability to submit homework solutions at any hour of the day or night via the Internet, to get immediate feedback regarding the correctness of their answers, and to be able to submit a revised answer if the previous answer was incorrect In the development of the homework assignments, we have structured the more involved Mallard problems to contain a series of steps requiring intermediate answers. This allows the student to more easily pinpoint where the error lies if the final solution is incorrect. This paper describes our experiences in this initial endeavor, and focuses primarily on: 1. The advantages of using Mallard in teaching an introductory circuits course. 2. The response of the students to use of Mallard in the teaching of electric circuits. 3. Our approach in the development of problems with a structure that helps to guide the student along the path toward the correct solution.