ENHANCING STUDENT UNDERSTANDING OF SHIFT REGISTER CONCEPTS USING AN INTERACTIVE VISUALIZATION AND HANDS-ON LEARNING APPROACH

Abstract

This study presents an innovative teaching and learning approach to improve students’ understanding of shift register concepts in Digital Electronics. Students often face difficulties in visualizing data movement and distinguishing between different register operations such as Serial-In Serial-Out (SISO), Serial-In Parallel-Out (SIPO), Parallel-In Serial-Out (PISO), and Parallel-In Parallel-Out (PIPO).  To address this issue, an interactive learning framework integrating visualization and hands-on learning using a developed shift register trainer kit was proposed. The approach enables real-time observation of data movement through LED visualization, allowing students to better understand sequential data flow based on clock signals.  A quasi-experimental study involving 90 students from three engineering programmes was conducted using pre-test and post-test assessments. The results show a significant improvement in students’ performance, with the mean score increasing from 5.13 to 8.33, representing a 62.4% improvement. The findings indicate that the proposed approach enhances conceptual understanding, improves students’ ability to interpret data flow mechanisms, and reduces reliance on memorization. This study demonstrates that integrating visualization and hands-on learning provides an effective strategy for improving learning outcomes in Digital Electronics education.