Conference Session

Hardware Applications

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Steven F. Barrett, University of Wyoming; Amos L. Purdy; Cameron H. G. Wright P.E., University of Wyoming

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

Department at the University of Wyoming wascontacted by one of our alumnus in the Spring of 2008 concerning development of an industrialcontrols course. The alumni had graduated in the early 1980’s developed a highly successfulindustrial control company that provided service to the chemical, mining, oil, petrochemical, gas,and automotive industries [1]. The alumnus was interested in supporting the development of acourse that emphasized the design of programmable logic controller (PLC) based systems vital toa wide range of industries and to support the ongoing demand for engineers educated inindustrial control concepts and applications. Further, the alumnus pledged financial support todevelop a physical laboratory and the required instrumentation to

Conference Session

Faculty Tools

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Carolyn Kusbit Dunn, East Carolina University; David L. Batts, East Carolina University; Sandra Lee Friend, East Carolina University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

maintain quality while maximizing university resources.Meeting the Online Growth Demands The research on how educational institutions are handling the growth of onlineenrollments is minimal. Burruss, Billings, Brownrigg, Skiba, and Connors (2009) remarked onclass size and “minimal research at the postsecondary level” (p. 38). The authors go on to saythat the number of online students is increasing and with a shortage of faculty class sizes areincreasing. Colwell and Jenks (2004) added “Faculty can face pressures from administration to“maximize” class sizes in online courses to make them more efficient or profitable” (p. 1). There is concern from educators about the quality of education when class sizes areincreased; however, the

Conference Session

Computers in Education General Technical Session I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Melissa A. Pasquinelli, North Carolina State University; Jeff Joines, North Carolina State University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

overcoming the time since taking the first computing course as well as a varied background in terms of computing. These lessons will be applicable to other types of engineering courses where computing is being introduced.IntroductionMany engineering curricula around the country are re-evaluating their introductory computerprogramming requirements. Realizing that the standard introductory programming courses nolonger appropriately complement the education of systems engineers (i.e., Textile Engineers (TE)and Industrial and Systems Engineers (ISE)), a new Computer-Based Modeling for Engineerscourse (TE/ISE 110) that integrates critical thinking and problem solving within a computationalthinking framework has been developed 1–3 and taught for

Conference Session

Best of Computers in Education Division

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Patrick Hogan, Missouri S&T; Dan Cernusca, Missouri University of Science & Technology

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

university, the IgMetPetcourse is typically taken in the second semester of the sophomore year. Students are expected tohave already completed the mineralogy and chemistry courses as pre-requisites for this course.The course may include graduate students who are meeting deficiency requirements, or desire torefresh their background knowledge in Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. Enrollment in thiscourse typically varies between 11 and 22 students, but in the last three years the enrollment hasmoved toward the upper level of this range varying from 18 to 22 students.Course GoalsThe goals for this course have been divided into three categories: (1) Technical skills which pertain directly to becoming proficient in the subject of Igneous and

Conference Session

Computational Tools

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Thad B. Welch III P.E., Boise State University; Sam Shearman, National Instruments

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

within university communication systems classrooms,teaching laboratories, and their natural follow-on coursework (e.g., SDR, CR, DigitalCommunications, Wireless Communications, and Satellite Communications).This paper will discuss the utilization of National Instruments (NI) LabVIEW-based virtualinstrumentation with the USRP and a UHD-based software driver to rapidly create real-timecommunication systems demonstrations for the classroom and/or laboratory settings. Thecombination of the USRP, UHD, LabVIEW, and Windows support enables implementation andexploration of both foundational and more advanced concepts related to signal processing andcommunications.1 IntroductionUniversities have been teaching software defined radio (SDR) courses and

Conference Session

Computers in Education General Technical Session I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Yizhe Chang, Stevens Institute of Technology; El-Sayed Aziz, Stevens Institute of Technology; Sven K. Esche, Stevens Institute of Technology; Constantin Chassapis, Stevens Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

’, a junior-level course for mechanical engineering majors. Assessment tools such aspre- and post-experiment tests are an integral part of the game-based laboratory environment andform the basis for providing different levels of support to the students at every step of thelaboratory exercise. Furthermore, the game environment can be equipped with functionality formonitoring the students’ progress and learning outcomes, thus enabling skill-based assessment.1. IntroductionHaving grown up with a variety of digital technologies1,2, today's students have been describedas ‘Digital Students’ or ‘Net Generation’. The internet and communication technologies havehad a significant influence on their entire lives, including on how they learn. Today's

Conference Session

Computational Tools

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joel Esposito, U.S. Naval Academy; Carl E. Wick, U.S. Naval Academy; Kenneth A. Knowles, U.S. Naval Academy

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

the robot’s functionality from within MATLAB’spowerful integrated development environment, which already includes numerical solvers, imageprocessing routines, neural network libraries, and control system design tools. We describe thedevelopment process and the toolbox’s features; and illustrate its capabilities with some projectsfrom our own Introductory Robotics class where it was beta tested. A student opinion surveyindicated that the toolbox was well received, but suggests its stability could be improved.1. IntroductionIt has been widely noted that engineering students benefit from a variety of teaching approaches,in particular visual and experiential learners prefer hands on laboratory experiences [1].Teaching robotics is no exception [2

Conference Session

Tablet PC use in Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Chia-Keng Lee, University of California, Riverside; Thomas Stahovich, University of California, Riverside; Robert C. Calfee, University of California, Riverside

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

valuable for learning Statics.IntroductionIntelligent tutoring systems have long been a focus of research, with applications spanninga wide range of subjects such as computer programming,1 law,2 medicine,3 physics,4 andStatics.5 Most current systems rely on traditional WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menus,Pointer) user interfaces. While such interfaces may be useful in some domains, they haveclear limitations. For example, they are typically not well-suited for instruction in domainsin which solutions require complex graphics. Engineering Statics is one such domain.Solving Statics problems requires the construction of free body diagrams and equilibriumequations, two tasks which are difficult to perform with a mouse and keyboard.Here we present our efforts

Conference Session

Computer Science Applications

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Dan Li, Northern Arizona University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

learningof the core data mining topics including data preprocessing, association mining,classification, cluster analysis, text mining, and visualization. The open-source datamining tool, RapidMiner, is introduced to assist students to explore and digest variousdata mining processes and algorithms. Overall, the hands-on experience provides studentsa better insight into data mining functions.1. IntroductionThe explosion of very large databases has created extraordinary opportunities formonitoring, analyzing and predicting global economical, geographical, demographic,medical, political, and other processes in the world. Statistical analysis and data miningtechniques have emerged for these purposes. Data mining is the process of discoveringpreviously

Conference Session

Computer Science Applications

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jeffrey A. Jalkio, University of Saint Thomas; Dan R. Schupp

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

computer science students understood computer function (most ofthem had not yet taken a computer architecture course), but rather that the liberal arts studentswere troubled by their ignorance while the technical students were not. Clearly, it would beuseful to provide the entire class with a basic understanding of how stored program computersfunction at a very simple level.In addition, for the purpose of the particular class, we determined that it would be useful tointroduce a few basic computer science concepts: 1. A finite set of operations can each be numbered and hence be uniquely identified by bit patterns. 2. One can often solve complex problems using algorithms consisting of a sequence of very simple primitive operations. 3

Conference Session

Tablet PC use in Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Shreya Kothaneth, Virginia Tech; Catherine T. Amelink, Virginia Tech; Glenda R. Scales, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

main problems when it comes to adoption anddiffusion of instructional technology and they are personnel related, cost related, andinfrastructure related issues. Personnel related issues include organizational cultures that arehesitant to readily adopt new technologies. High cost of technology often prevents adoption anddiffusion and finally, unless there is a facilitating infrastructure, that allows potential users toaccess equipment and software whenever they need to, it will be very difficult to successfullyinstructional technology 1.The COE has been working on maximizing the use of the tablet PC in a number of ways. TheCOE created the Software Triage Team (SWAT) that is available 8 hours a day to provide freeassistance to students who face

Conference Session

Hardware Applications

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ronald J. Hayne, The Citadel

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

memory (MEM) for storing both programs and data.The complete data path is shown in Figure 1. BUS A BUS B BUS C 6 PC IR A1 A2 1 REGS 2 MUX 2 A ALU R B

Conference Session

Tablet PC use in Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Leanna M. Horton, Virginia Tech; Kahyun Kim, Virginia Tech; Shreya Kothaneth, Virginia Tech; Catherine T. Amelink, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

Page 22.1030.4 3subsystem7, were identified and analyzed along with their interactions to determine how toaddress current barriers and increase usage of Tablet PCs.ResultsMany consistent benefits of Tablet PCs that served as motivations toward Tablet PC use, as wellas several challenges towards full adoption affecting both students and faculty in the COE werefound throughout the analyses. A brief summary of the reported benefits and barriers fromfaculty and students are shown Tables 1 and 2, respectively, and are then described in detail.Table 1. Benefits and barriers reported by faculty. Benefits

Conference Session

Computer Science Applications

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ryan J. Meuth, University of Advancing Technology

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

. stroke(255); // Set stroke color to white } float y = 100; // Global Variable // The statements in draw() are run until the // program is stopped. Each statement is run in // sequence and after the last line is read, the first // line is run again. void draw() { background(0); // Set the background to black rect(75, y, 50, 50); y = y - 1; if (y < 0) { y = height; } }Figure 1 - A simple Processing program.By default, the Processing environment calls any defined setup() function first, and only oncewhen the program starts. The draw() function is called repeatedly until the program stops,acting as built-in looping structure. The Processing environment is stateful, tracking the heightand width of the drawing surface

Conference Session

Computers in Education Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Chi N. Thai, University of Georgia

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

Computers in Education Journal published a selected survey of novelapproaches to robotics education for high school and engineering undergraduate levels whichindicated that currently in the U.S.A. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is probably the onlyuniversity that currently offers a stand-alone B.S. degree in Robotics Engineering 1, while otheruniversities such as Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology adopted the approach of amultidisciplinary robotics minor for students majoring in Computer Science, Electrical,Computer, Mechanical or Software Engineering 2. With the recent approval by the UniversitySystem of Georgia Board of Regents for new B.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering andElectrical and Electronics Engineering to come on line in Fall 2013

Conference Session

Computational Tools

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Abhijit Nagchaudhuri, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

system in thelaboratory. The set-up is used for experiential learning and research efforts involving engineeringand computer science majors at the university, as well as for demonstration purposes for theintroductory Control Systems (ENGE 382) and Instrumentation (ENGE 380) courses offered bythe author for engineering majors.1.0 INTRODUCTIONMechatronics[1-3] embodies the synergy of mechanical design, electronics, control, soft-computing and information technology.In this paper various aspects of the field of “Mechatronics” is explored using simple laboratorydevices – (a) Direct Current (DC) servo-motor and, (b) Dual water tank system, with appropriateelectronic interfaces for sensing and control. Particular emphasis is paid towards (i

Conference Session

Best of Computers in Education Division

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nathaniel Bird, Ohio Northern University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

is the list of components the students were required to purchase for thecourse. • Arduino Duemilanove board. • USB cable to connect the board to a computer for programming. • Bread board. • 16x2 LCD display kit. • Miscellaneous resistors and LEDs.The following list is the items that, in hindsight, should have been required but were not. • 7-segment LED display. • Stepper motor. • H-bridge IC. 1 Page 22.1600.4 The Arduino project website is at http://www.arduino.cc • Piezoelectric speaker. • Miscellaneous buttons, transistors, potentiometers, photoresistors, and other parts.TextbookThere are few books available

Conference Session

Hardware Applications

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christopher R. Carroll, University of Minnesota, Duluth

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

Digital Electronics course.The secret to presenting digital circuits successfully to students who have no technicalbackground is to avoid references to electricity or computers and stick purely with the 1’s and0’s. In such a setting, digital circuits are just implementations of mathematical expressions.There are no “volts” or “bytes” or anything that might confuse the simplicity of 1’s and 0’s. Bytreating digital circuits simply as implementations of mathematical expressions, and treatingwires as just pencil lines that connect logical elements in drawings, students can learn to designand build digital circuits comfortably.This paper provides applications of a lab station design that has been disclosed in an earlierASEE paper1, and discusses

Conference Session

Simulation

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ames Bielenberg, Swarthmore College; Erik Cheever, Swarthmore College

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

. Page 22.1673.2Compounding this last difficulty is the fact that many students are “visual” learners according toFelder’s index of learning styles [1]. For these students, an animation of a physical system canbe an important tool to help them learn [2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. It has been shown that students preferhaving access to animations in addition to textbook-only presentations and the animationssignificantly increased their ability to visualize system behavior, as well as increasing enjoymentand self-confidence [3, 7, 8, 9]. In addition, Kolb’s theory of experiential learning posits thatexperience, which can be provided by animations, and reflection are part of student learning[10].There are many ways to present animations of simulations of physical

Conference Session

Computers in Education General Technical Session I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Erik Cheever, Swarthmore College; Ames Bielenberg, Swarthmore College

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

explanatory detail about the topic, including descriptions of how it is related to other,associated, topics. While many textbooks (and even web-based presentations) have only shortsections describing the interrelationships between topics, this system puts the relationship at thecore of the presentation of the material to make it more clear why a particular topic is beinglearned and how it fits into the larger context of linear systems.IntroductionAt its lowest level the learning process, according to Bloom’s taxonomy, involves moving astudent from simply remembering information to understanding it [1, 2]. The internet has greatlyincreased the amount and availability of information but has, in some ways, increased thedifficulty of understanding that

Conference Session

Simulation

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Seung Youn Chyung, Boise State University; Joe Guarino, Boise State University; Marion Scheepers, Boise State University, Department of Mathematics; Rey DeLeon, Boise State University, Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering Department; Charles Adams, Boise State University; Paul Williams, Boise State University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

sustaining virtual learning and teaching communities through acloud computing service (Blade servers) and enhancing student motivation and performance inMath by using interactive simulation programs. As part of the project, we have developed aseries of MATLAB-based simulations delivered through our Blade servers to help students betterconceptualize abstract Math concepts. During the fall semester of 2010, we implemented 12simulations in a Multivariable & Vector Calculus class in which 117 students were enrolled. Tobetter understand the overall program usability via Blade servers and the value of the simulationsfrom the student perspective, we conducted an evaluation study and answered the following threequestions: 1. How do students perceive the

Conference Session

Computers in Education Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Timothy D. Ropp, Purdue University, West Lafayette; David M. Whittinghill, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Raymond A. Hansen, Purdue University; Erin E. Bowen, Purdue University; Joshua L. Holmes

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

domain • allow for dynamic reorganization of cards and content • accommodate a tablet PC based system • allow for future design of Drag-n-Drop capabilities from a supervisor’s master control touch screen computer • allow on-demand information retrievalThese requirements were based on conceptual wireless network design, covering an aircrafttechnician’s work environment that included a large transport category aircraft on an airportramp (Figure 1). This was also the basis of the current physical network construction (Figure 2). Technician wireless Technician wireless tablet 1 tablet 2 Maintenance Ops. Control

Conference Session

Tablet PC use in Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James E. Lewis, University of Louisville; Jeffrey Lloyd Hieb, University of Louisville

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

. Page 22.1196.21. IntroductionInterest in the use of tablet PCs in the classroom increased significantly with the release ofMicrosoft’s Tablet PC edition of Windows XP in 2002 and Hewlett-Packard’s tablet grantincentive program that began in 2004 1. The J.B. Speed School of Engineering began its tabletPC program in 2007 when the first incoming freshman class was required to purchase tablet PCs.Entering freshman in 2008, 2009, and 2010 have also been required to purchase tablet PCs. Dueto this gradual adoption processes, not all students in upper level courses have a tablet PC,though the number is increasing each year. However, the Department of EngineeringFundamentals classes ENGR 101, 102, and 201 are freshmen courses, and therefore all

Conference Session

Tablet PC use in Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

JUDITH VIRGINIA GUTIERREZ, Universidad de las Americas, Puebla; Aurelio Lopez-Malo, Universidad de las Americas, Puebla; Enrique Palou, Universidad de las Americas, Puebla

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

. Several committees organized by the USNational Academy of Sciences have summarized much of this research in reports published bythe National Academy Press. A key publication that informs our current discussion is HowPeople Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience and School1.An organizing structure used in the How People Learn volumes (hereafter HPL) is the HPLframework. It highlights a set of four overlapping lenses that can be used to analyze any learningsituation. In particular, it suggests that we ask about the degree to which learning environmentsare1-4:1. Knowledge centered. In the sense of being based on a careful analysis of what we want people to know and be able to do when they finish with our materials or course and providing

Conference Session

Computational Tools

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael G. Morrow P.E., University of Wisconsin, Madison; Cameron H. G. Wright P.E., University of Wyoming; Thad B. Welch III P.E., Boise State University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

-L138 eXperimenter Kit not only for DSP education with a higher performance processor than before, but can use this to introduce the concepts of multi-core devices and system-on-chip designs in a practical way.1 IntroductionMany university DSP courses have made use of the excellent and affordable tools provided byTexas Instruments, such as the C6000-series of DSP Starter Kits (DSKs). The recent introduc-tion of the ZoomTM OMAP-L138 eXperimenter Kit from Logic Product Development Company(usually just called LogicPD),1 featuring Texas Instruments’ dual core system on a chip (SoC) thatincludes an ARM9 and a C6748 VLIW DSP core, has brought a much more capable and afford-able DSP development system to both university educators and

Conference Session

Computers in Education Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Neelam Soundarajan, Ohio State University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

shifting from one to the other as needed. In this paper, theauthor presents an innovative way of achieving such an integration. The paper situates the workwithin the how people learn framework 1,2 .1. IntroductionOver the last few decades, a number of different approaches have been developed to exploit IT toolsand systems in education at all levels from K-12 to undergraduate engineering programs throughcorporate training. While each of these systems and approaches has its own particular goals anduses its own specific methods to achieve them, they can be broadly classified into two groups whichmay be called knowledge-centered approaches and activity-centered approaches respectively. Asthe name suggests, the central focus of knowledge-centered

Conference Session

Computers in Education Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Guido W. Lopez, Old Dominion University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

. The method ishighly versatile and can be used to teach and communicate with local and distance studentssimultaneously. It is a synchronous and hybrid delivery of instruction that uses the internet anddedicated software for lecturing and problem-solution illustration. The method is also mobile,and it can be used in any classroom or laboratory with internet access even when the room lacksdedicated (and often expensive) equipment for distance instruction. Figure 1 shows a schematicdiagram of the main elements involved in the method. Video conferencing Satellite Distant School Classroom

Conference Session

Computers in Education Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Oscar Antonio Perez, University of Texas, El Paso; Virgilio Gonzalez, University of Texas, El Paso; Michael Thomas Pitcher, University of Texas, El Paso; Peter Golding, University of Texas, El Paso

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

grades. Starting on week seven iPads were provided for the second cohort of students.Variances between the cohorts were again assessed on the second and again at the final classaverage. The results of this analysis show an increase in learning impact for exam II but showno change in the final class average. The results from the attitudinal survey show a very positiveattitude towards the implementation of the iPad in the classroom and this yielded a very positiveclassroom environment.Introduction Throughout history there have been many attempts to incorporate different technologies in theclassroom.1 Some of these technologies have seen more success than others when looked at incomparisons.2 The most commonly used classroom technologies are

Conference Session

Computers in Education Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Chris Smaill, University of Auckland; Colin Coghill, University of Auckland

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

-centered and distance learning.IntroductionMany countries are currently experiencing a critical need to increase the number of peoplechoosing careers in engineering and technology 1-5. In particular, IPENZ (The Institution ofProfessional Engineers New Zealand) has recently stated that New Zealand has a severeshortage of graduate engineers and needs to produce twice as many engineering graduates asit currently does to match other OECD countries and to meet its own requirements 2.However, meeting this demand for an increased number of engineering graduates isextremely difficult since high-school enrollments in mathematics and physics have declinedsignificantly in recent years 3. This problem is exacerbated by the shortage of appropriately-qualified

Conference Session

Faculty Tools

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Charles J Lesko Jr., East Carolina University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

Page 22.1666.2Vaughan (2008), blended learning provides academics with a vision and roadmap to understand 1“the possibilities of organically blending face-to-face and online learning for engaging andmeaningful experiences” [1].Isolating the right blend of online and face-to-face is a challenge, and that challenge isexacerbated by the ever-increasing options online, and computer-based solutions being presentedto academics. At present, there is no real consensus on a single agree-upon definition forblended learning. The terms "blended," "hybrid," and "mixed-mode" tend to be usedinterchangeably in current research literature, however, for this effort the term „blended‟ will beused [2]. Classroom