Microwave Education through Integrated Theory-Project Learning

This paper describes an instructional methodology, namely the Integrated Theory-Project Learning (ITPL) platform, conceived to increase students' proficiency in learning microwave fundamentals. Similarly to the Project Based Learning (PBL) approach, ITPL involves an extensive adoption 01 project and laboratory experiences as a complement to traditional class lectures. The key characteristic 01 the ITPL concept is that the connections between the theoretical study 01 microwave fundamentals and the development and testing phase are emphasized and made explicit, including the formulation and implementation in each project 01 simple analytical models subsequently used by students as design tools [or project activities. Even if not commonly practiced in industry, the proposed approach is extremely beneficial for emerging engineers, who in this way have an opportunity to better understand the theoretical foundations that are systematically integrated with project activities according to the Kolb Cycle 01 Experimental Learning.