Conference Session

Computer Education Innovations II

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Joseph Tront, Virginia Tech; David Bailey, Virginia Polytechnic and State University; Thomas Walker, Virginia Tech; Steven Lee, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

data transmittedby the courseware application, the network communications protocol implementation, and theamount of interaction the students and instructor attempt to have during typical classroomsessions.A number of different classroom courseware tools are available on the market these days. Manyof them endeavor to support rich real-time classroom interaction by sending data back and forth Page 15.387.2between student and faculty machines. Designing a network infrastructure to satisfy the needs of 1|Pagethese software packages is best performed by planning

Conference Session

Software and Hardware for Educators II

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jonathan Hill, University of Hartford

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

Page 15.1315.2upon one another. Students work as individuals and have two weeks to implement a givenproject that is demonstrated in class and one week to write the corresponding project report.Our students use Xilinx ISE software1 to simulate and implement their projects along with aninexpensive Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) development board, such as the Spartan-3Starter Board2 outlined in Figure 1. Of the features, we use the buttons, switches, LEDs, seven-segment displays, and the RS232-style serial communications port. There is a 50MHz clockoscillator and two 512 kByte memory devices, which are not shown here. Two different JTAGconnectors are provided to configure the board. The platform FLASH is used to make a designpermanent. The

Conference Session

Software and Hardware for Educators II

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James Lewis, University of Louisville

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

available for tablet PCs. The first methoduses Microsoft OneNote exclusively, and the second method uses DyKnow. This paper looks atcourse delivery methods and then describes in detail the process that is being used by a smallnumber of faculty currently at the engineering school.1. IntroductionThe University of Louisville’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering introduced a Tablet PCrequirement for the incoming students in 2007. This was the first year for a computerrequirement of any sort for the engineering students. Tablets can be beneficial to studentslearning, as long as the technology doesn’t become distracting. There are many papers detailingstudent use of tablet PCs in the classroom and some on using a tablet PC to present a class.1,2,3,4,5

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

Conference Session

Computers in Education Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Frank T. Fisher, Stevens Institute of Technology; Hong Man, Stevens Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

these modules include the use of current faculty research as thecenterpiece for the educational materials, and the use of a multimedia format to enable anengaging and dynamic view of academic nanotechnology research accessible to all studentswithin the curriculum. While these modules will be deployed within a new first year“Engineering Experiences” course being offered at our school, ultimate deployment of these self-contained modules in other academic settings is envisioned. The goals of this effort include: 1)invigorating the first year engineering curriculum with dynamic and engaging real-worldexamples of cutting edge research in the area of nanotechnology; 2) introducing undergraduatesat the earliest stages to the enthusiasm, creativity

Conference Session

Computers in Education General Technical Session II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mihaela Vorvoreanu, Purdue University; Quintana Clark, Purdue University; Geovon Boisvenue, Purdue University; Stephen Paul Woodall, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

. We offered a one in five chance to win $20 as an incentive forparticipation. The sample consisted of three undergraduate technology students, 11undergraduate engineering students, and one graduate student. Table 1 presents thesample’s demographics. Table 1: Demographics Major Gender Engineering 11 Male 11 Technology 3 Female 4 Other 1 Age 18-20, m=19 Year in School Ethnicity/Race Freshman 5 White 9 Sophomore 6

Conference Session

Computers in Education General Technical Session II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jennifer Anne Macdonald, University of Technology, Sydney; Julie E. Mills, University of South Australia

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

project costs4. The construction industry has alsobeen described as extremely fragmented and lacking integration5, 6.In the light of such studies, major changes have been recommended by industry organisationssuch as the US National Academy of Sciences (2009). Two of the five key activities identifiedby the Academy for improving the industry were: 1. Widespread deployment and use of interoperable technology applications, also called Building Information Modelling (BIM); 2. Improved job-site efficiency through more effective interfacing of people, processes, materials, equipment and information.1, p.1As a consequence of such recommendations the construction industry worldwide is beginning tomove towards collaborative design practices

Conference Session

Computational Tools

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Murat Tanyel, Geneva College

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

observethat a number of applications have become widespread computer tools in electrical engineeringtextbooks. Spice and its derivatives, such as National Instrument’s Multisim pervade coursesthat cover circuit analysis and electronics 1-7; MATLAB and its derivative SIMULINK have 8-11 12-14become the standard computer tool for control systems , communication systems and 15-16 17digital signal processing (DSP) . The C programming language has replaced FORTRAN inthe electrical engineering curriculum, as our generation has observed this transition from ourundergraduate studies in the late

Conference Session

Computers in Education Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James Riddell, Baker College, Flint; Anca L. Sala, Baker College; Tom Spendlove, Baker College, Flint

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

LinkedIn for alumni and faculty.Facebook and LinkedIn groups featuresThe Facebook group was created in March 2009 with a small number of students joining and afew of the faculty. Currently there are 31 members, three of which are faculty. This is in aprogram which has fewer than 100 students currently enrolled. It is set up as a private, invitationonly group for security and privacy. Page 22.1707.3Fig. 1 Baker College Mechanical Engineering Group on Facebook.The LinkedIn group – Baker College Engineering Alumni – started in 2009. The group hascurrently 18 members, 15 of which are program alumni, and three are faculty. Altogether thisgroup totals

Conference Session

Pedagogical Issues in Computing

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sarah Jane Grigg, Clemson University; Lisa Benson, Clemson University; Catherine McGough, Clemson University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

. Overall, this has the potential to be apowerful pedagogical tool.However, with every technological intervention, as with any new product implementation, thereare varying levels of acceptance from users. While getting acquainted with a new product, usersencounter a hierarchy of effects: 1) awareness, 2) interest, 3) evaluation, 4) trial, 5) adoption, 6)confirmation 10. Users progress through the adoption process at different rates. Rogers’s theoryof diffusion of innovations describes how some users will adopt a product right away due toseeing high value or meeting an immediate need (innovators, early adopters) 11. Others follow toadoption later, often after addressing initial concerns or being swayed by additional informationabout the product or

Conference Session

Computers in Education Poster Session

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Keith Garfield, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

. Page 22.1697.2Goals:The larger goal of the Study Buddy project is to provide a non-threatening, engaging tool toencourage the student to explore course topics outside of the classroom. Specific objectives forthis project are to develop and field a prototype Study Buddy agent, assess its effectiveness interms of motivating students, and utilize the work as a basis for future growth in tutorial agentcapabilities.This project targeted a purposefully small and well-defined set of course outcomes for a mathcourse that described properties of certain sets, called relations. The outcomes require thestudents: 1.) be able to recognize whether or not the relations exhibited reflexive, symmetric,and/or transitive properties, and 2.) be able to create

Conference Session

Computers in Education General Technical Session I

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David R. Bowman, Clemson University; Elizabeth A. Stephan, Clemson University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

Evaluation ToolAs a first step to developing this tool, we began by creating a map from ABET EngineeringProgram criteria to our course objectives. In each course, we mapped the course objectives toeach unit of instruction and specific objectives that represent mastery within each topic, asshown in a sample in Figure 1. The goal of this map is to help students discover the connectionsbetween each topic presented in the class and see how it relates to the broader objectives ofstudying engineering. Page 22.1620.3Figure 1: A sample mapping from an ABET Criterion (left), to one course objective, to different units of study, to specific objectives

Conference Session

Computers in Education General Technical Session II

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Daniel J. Waldorf, California Polytechnic State University; Lizabeth T. Schlemer, California Polytechnic State University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

a computer. The promise and advantages of onlineeducational content have been well researched and explained1. The advantages touted includeincreased access2 and convenience for learners as well as increased potential for collaborationand efficiency among educators.1 There is evidence that students can even learn better in onlineenvironments.3,4 One report4 describes how web-based content fosters constructivist learningand how online resources can help create an environment that “makes a difference in the kinds ofteaching and learning experiences that are possible.” Online content also favors “personalized”learning, as listed by the National Academy of Engineers as one of their Engineering GrandChallenges 2010.5 A “student-centered approach