Use of SPICE Circuit Simulation to Guide Written Reflections and Metacognition.

Contribution: Reflection is a critical skill because it involves thinking about and reviewing one’s work. It contributes to self-regulatory, metacognitive behaviors when practiced regularly. In this research, a unique approach to promote reflection via SPICE simulation after quizzes in a microelectronics course was studied. Background: This study aligns with recent calls from the engineering education community for increased use of systematic reflection. Intended Outcomes: Anticipating the lack of experience with reflection, the authors intended for students to gain experience and realize its benefits. Application Design: Repeated reflection occurred with the review of weekly quiz or exam results after submission via SPICE and question prompts. Reflections were analyzed by the authors for depth. Pre and postsurveys assessed student perspectives on reflection. Findings: When reflective depth levels after an initial quiz were associated with subsequent exam results, students who achieved significantly higher results unexpectedly reflected at the lowest level. This suggested the prompts were not designed to challenge all students to reflect. After a subsequent quiz, an overall lower average depth level and an increased number of reflections at the lowest depth level suggested potential fatigue with the reflective prompts. The presurvey had illustrated the lack of experience with reflection and hence, an opportunity. The postsurvey demonstrated highly positive views on reflection, including the development of metacognitive skills. Although the question prompts were likely not designed for optimal reflection, repeated reflection nonetheless made a positive impression on students in need of such experience. Applying these lessons learned may therefore lead to even greater outcomes with reflection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]