Project-based course development for enhancing the skills of photonics device design

The scope of Light-emitting diode (LED) devices has widened recently. Efficiently fostering LED device design, it has become an issue in higher education to satisfy the growing need for workers in the LED industry. Because successfully completing a LED device design for a student in higher education requires prior knowledge of the semiconductor element, universities need to offer an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines theory and practice to engage students in authentic real-world tasks, and to develop the abilities of problem-solving and task-implementation. This work develops a novel instructional approach for project-based learning. The proposed learning course with two-stage simulation imitates the real situation of the R&D works to comprehend the principles of operation of LED devices through computer simulation software, APSYS. It also attempts to turn students into responsible, active, reflective self-directed learners through teamwork and peer assessment under limited prior knowledge.