Microwave engineering education using web-based instruction

The electronic information transfer revolutionizes the flow of information in a similar manner as the print material did over 400 years ago. The opportunity for mass production of the written knowledge has transformed the classical methods of teachings. Electronic publishing, with its free flow of knowledge, has already reshaped the structure of our libraries, and it is posed to influence not only the physical structure of the classroom but also the style and methods of teaching. Even the technical publications distributed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as journals or symposia digests are gradually moving to the electronic format. It is not too far off mark that, in a short time, the technical papers are going to merely be a movie clip of the actual experiments or numerical models of the reported paper. The IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques (MTT) Society has led this campaign and is poised to provide the information-age benefits to its members. Since one of the primary responsibilities of any professional society is the continuing education of its members, it is natural to expect the MTT Society to initiate educational initiatives. As a result of advances in telecommunication and the popularity of the Internet, electronic multimedia now could augment the traditional teaching methods. Hence, the Education Committee initiated the Microwave Multimedia Module (M4) project, in addition to many other efforts. The Drexel University team of Mohammed-Reza Tofighi, a Ph.D. student, and myself has responded to the M4 project challenge. Our goal is to develop an E-book that covers various topics in passive and active microwave circuits in the hope of assisting MTT Society members in their continuing education efforts. This product is developed as standard “post page” and will be completed in mid-2001. The copyrighted material will then be delivered to IEEE as an electronic book.