Putting the Electronics Curriculum to the Test

Using both the interview and questionnaire methods, a survey was made concerning the electronics curriculum at the College of DuPage. In addition to institutional objectives related to the survey, other aims of the study were to develop an instrument to determine the professional's concept of a highly trained graduate, to determine whether there existed instructional material seen as important in the curriculum by business, educator, and graduate groups, and to provide data as to improvements in the curriculum suggested by other educators and business people. Interviews were conducted prior to mailing the questionnaire to employers, graduates of the program since 1970, and instructors. Results of the study showed that the instrument did enable recommendations to be made related to the data obtained. A common core of subject matter was determined. The relative evaluations of the three groups surveyed showed no significant discrepancies; there was, however, some difference in the individual item evaluations, with graduates and employers being in close agreement as to what is important in the curriculum. Appendixes provide the Statistical Questionnaire, Comments by Respondents, Rank Order of All Respondents, Rank Order of Instructor Responses, Rank Order of Employer Responses, and Rank Order of Graduate Responses. (DB)