INTRODUCING SPICE SOFTWARE IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING: IMPLICATION FOR DEVELOPING CIRCUIT DESIGN SKILLS

Abstract

The present  study  examined  the  SPICE  as  a  powerful  open-source  analog  electronic  circuit simulator that can enhance the circuit design skills of electrical engineering students in Edo State. The participants were 73 students enrolled in the electrical engineering department at the Edo State Polytechnic Usen, Edo State, Edo State. Their ages ranged from 19 to 30 years, with a mean age of 9.14 (M) and a standard deviation of 1.24 (SD). The participants were divided into two groups: Group A (Experimental Condition): Students who used SPICE simulation software in their coursework. Group B (Control Condition): Students who did not use SPICE and followed the traditional curriculum. A t-test analysis was conducted to address the research question: Would students in Edo State be better able to design circuits if they participated in a simulation program focused on integrated circuits? The results revealed a significant  difference  in  circuit  design  skills  between  the  experimental  and  control  groups. Specifically, the experimental group demonstrated an average improvement of m=8.97 in their skills.  The  t-value was  6.212,  indicating  a  strong  effect.  The  p-value  was  .000,  confirming statistical significance. In conclusion, the findings support using SPICE simulation software as an effective tool for enhancing circuit design skills among electrical engineering students. This study  sheds  light  on  the practical benefits  of integrating  SPICE  into  engineering  education, emphasizing its role in bridging theory and practice.