Conducting lines -- drawable conductors as a source of active learning activities

TL;DR

This paper presents engaging, scalable active learning activities using drawable conductors on paper, facilitating understanding of resistors, circuits, and scientific methods for students from primary to undergraduate levels.

Contribution

It introduces innovative, extensible laboratory projects with drawable circuits that enhance active learning and connect theoretical concepts with hands-on experimentation.

Findings

Drawable circuits effectively teach resistor concepts.

Grid drawings enable complex circuit analysis and uncertainty discussions.

Extracurricular projects deepen experimental understanding.

Abstract

Drawable electronics attract the attention of both educators and innovative circuit engineers due to their affordability and simplicity. This paper focuses on active learning activities related to conducting lines and presents extensible laboratory projects suitable for students of all levels -- from late primary school pupils to early undergraduate students. We build on ideas of Pouillet's law classroom demonstrations with pencil drawings on paper and continue with a line, circle and grid drawings and appropriate resistance measurements. These are used as methodological examples of drawable circuits suitable for learning about resistors in series, parallel and mixed combinations. Particularly, grid drawings, e.g. mixed circuits, offer a variety of exercises that can connect analytical and experimental approaches and instigate discussions about assessments of uncertainty. Along the way, we propose ideas for extracurricular projects students can undertake to further their experimental knowledge and practise the scientific method.