Conference Session

Mobile Robotics in Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Ahlgren, Trinity College; Igor M Verner, Technion--Israel Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

, enhancing overall team performance.The students were told at the outset that those who succeeded in the evaluation would becomearea masters who would be called upon by RST design groups for advice and assistance, and thatarea masters would train other students in mastery areas in succeeding semesters. Studentprojects were graded on the basis of oral seminar reports, a written mid-term report, and a writtenfinal report. Evaluation of the EDE itself was carried out by a post-semester survey.Pre-semester SurveyThis questionnaire asked RST students to reflect on their backgrounds, interests, and confidencelevels in robotics and to identify directions for further work. In this way the survey tried to helpstudents to clarify their plans for future

Conference Session

Computer Education Management Tools

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Richard House, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Anneliese Watt, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology; Julia Williams, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

teachercomments into five focuses (correctness, style, organization, content, and context) and nine modes(corrections, criticism, qualified criticism, praise, commands, advice, closed questions, open questions,and reflective statements).20 In examining the more specific linguistic forms taken by our students’comments, we also consulted Mackiewicz’s subdivisions of non-directive comments: hints(evaluations, general rules, and elisions)19 and compliments (formulaic and non-formulaic—those thatrely on “sequences of language that people have heard and said many times before,” and those thatexhibit “a novel coherence”).21Procedure for Inventorying of Peer Review FeedbackThe site for the first iteration of our study was two sections of the Technical

Conference Session

Special Session on Fixed-Point Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Wayne Padgett, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

can be treated as “ideal” and so signal can be separated from quantization and othererrors. This approach allows the validation of the theoretical predictions discussed in class.If we wish to explore the effects of different configurations of precision such as reduced wordlengths for FPGA simulation, or increasing the precision of a portion of the algorithm to 32 bitdata, the simulation tools can easily be reconfigured to reflect the changes, and all the analysistools still apply.The use of simulation tools teaches good habits in system development. Students can developand debug their algorithms in floating point, then simulate the results in fixed point and resolveany precision issues before starting any hardware implementation

Conference Session

Computer Tools for Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Frank Kowalski, Colorado School of Mines; Susan Kowalski, Colorado School of Mines; Erich Hoover, Colorado School of Mines

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

engineering studentswill soon face on the job; the possible formats for their responses also reflect what they willencounter in the workplace environment. The real-time formative assessment provided by thisuse of technology aids student metacognition and helps the instructor address misconceptionsduring the “teachable moments” that frequently occur when the InkSurvey tool is used.We provide details of how instructors from any campus can incorporate the use of this InkSurveytool into their instructional program. In cooperative learning situations, one Tablet PC can beshared within each small group of students, thus reducing hardware requirements. This tool isalso useful in facilitating differentiated learning and Just in Time Teaching (JiTT

Conference Session

Embedded Computing

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Holden, San Francisco State University; Juan Carlos Miranda, San Francisco State University; Jose Coto, San Francisco State University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

explaining the baseline system (question 3). As the motor control equipmentwas received almost at the end of the semester, and the project itself was quite rushed, it is notsurprising to the instructor that the students would want more time on this project, and the nextoffering of the course will reflect this data. Page 12.1064.8 1. A real time programming project seems appropriate in an advanced controls class12 1010864 32 0 0 00 5 4 3 2 1 Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree

Conference Session

Issues in Computer Education-HDL

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jeff Gribschaw, D/EECS, USMA; Paul Patterson, D/EECS, USMA; Bryan Goda, USMA

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

the survey (or otherassessment technique used) with students and answering their concerns greatly helps build abetter learning environment. The potential exists for students to be overwhelmed with the number of CAD/E tools theyare required to learn over the course of earning an undergraduate electrical engineering degree.Table 1 lists the twenty-three software programs used in the United States Military Academy(USMA) Electrical Engineering program and all of the courses that use each software. A quickscan of the table reveals that we expect students to learn a tremendous number of applicationsover the course of their final two and a half years. Not reflected in the diagram is that we spendless than twenty hours of formal instruction on

Conference Session

Mobile Robotics in Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Eric Wang, University of Nevada-Reno; Jeffrey LaCombe, University of Nevada-Reno; Ann-Marie Vollstedt, University of Nevada-Reno

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

).To assess the whether or not student could learn pseudo-code using the online learning modulealone, a control group study was completed. While all of the students were given access to theonline learning module, only half of the students were also given in-class instruction that coveredthe same material. Since there were three different instructors involved in the course, the studentsthat received the additional in-class lectures were all taught by the same instructor. Bycomparing the performance on the third (pseudo-code) quiz we can infer whether or not theonline module alone is sufficient to teach students how to transfer their ROBOLAB knowledgeto another programming language.Grades for the reflective reports were used to assess the

Conference Session

Instrumentation and Laboratory Systems

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jon Sticklen, Michigan State University; Daina Briedis, Michigan State University; Mark Urban-Lurain, Michigan State University; Timothy Hinds, Michigan State University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

towardsthe problem-solving goal.Engineering curricula have focused strongly on criterion (a) above to the detriment of the otheritems in the list. Indeed, many if not most engineering classes have focused on the first aspect of(a): a through grounding in the “basics” of a given discipline as “delivered” through lecture. Aslow but steady evolution of “content tyranny” to more and more reliance on “lecturing about”more and more material is a reflection of exploding amounts of knowledge in the engineeringdisciplines. Yet with ever more “knowledge to be imparted,” engineering students findthemselves with so many details to master that they often lose sight of the goal: effectiveproblem solving predicated on integrated understanding of technical

Conference Session

Educational Software

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anthony Rynne, University of Limerick; William Gaughran, University of Limerick

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

create features, normally it isbetter to do so to avoid possible later model distortion. The 2D sketch is then turned into a 3Dsolid usually by an extrusion or a revolve process. As noted previously, sketches can also beturned into solid features through a sweep or loft process. Extrusions pull the sketch normalto the sketch plane, while a revolved feature rotates the sketch around an axis. Sweepingmoves the sketch along a path made up of straight or curved geometry, while lofting usesmultiple sketches to transition from one shape to another. Each sketch is linked to itsresulting feature. If the user goes and edits the sketch, the feature will update to reflect thechange. Normally each sketched feature will require its own sketch.When designing

Conference Session

Web-Based Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ahmed Abu-Hajar, San Francisco State University; Michael Holden, San Francisco State University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

. Question Three showed very interesting results. Moststudents believed that CBVC do not replace the actual classroom. We believe that the lack ofconfidence in seeking knowledge among students especially at lower division courses reflects theneed for instructor. More interestingly, 20% of the students believe that CBVC may completelyreplace actual classrooms. Questions Four and Question Five showed very interesting results. Inboth questions, the majority of the students believed animation and well organized lecture notesare affective. However, there is reverse correlation between the two. About 50% of the studentswho selected Strongly Agree in Question Four they selected Agree on Question Five and viceversa. We argue that animation is affective to

Conference Session

Computer Education Management Tools

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Phil Rawles, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

to be more petty and capricious and should be given less Page 12.1044.4leverage via a lower percentage.As has already been discussed, work in a student group is rarely evenly split among themembership; one or two students will often be responsible for the majority of the group’ssuccess. This can be reflected in a peer evaluation system by allowing students to award extrapoints beyond the base percentage to an outstanding peer. This is best achieved by viewing thepeer evaluation as a zero sum operation. The sum of points awarded cannot exceed the numberof points available (x points for each member of the group). In this approach students can

Conference Session

Programming for Engineering Students

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christian Hipp, University of South Carolina; Veronica Addison, University of South Carolina

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

compare, forexample, freshman and senior engineering student perspectives about the computer.Additionally, students in non-engineering disciplines (e.g., humanities) may be surveyed tofurther offer comparisons for analysis. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & DISCLAIMERThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under GrantNumber 0536660 -- "CCLI: Effects of Timing, Content and Instruction on Engineering Students'Abilities to Solve Open-Ended Problems using Computers.” All opinions expressed within arethe authors' and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Science Foundation. ENDNOTESi Our research questions are not software specific and

Conference Session

Instrumentation and Laboratory Systems

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Murat Tanyel, Geneva College

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

to phase changes in fft_fwt_phase_compare.vi. In this VI,coefficients of “sal” and “cal” functions as well as the real and imaginary parts of the FFT areplotted on separate graphs as various standard waveforms are phase shifted. The behaviorexhibited further underscores the strong analogy between the FFT and FWT. As a sine waveexperiences a positive phase shift, the spectrum of both the real part of the FFT and the calfunctions of the FWT increase, while the imaginary part of the FFT and the sal functions of theFWT decrease. However, this behavior reverses after 90 degrees, at which point the oddsymmetry of the reflected sine wave begins to be asserted again. These results are depicted inFigures 4 through 8.When the phase angle of the

Conference Session

Programming for Engineering Students

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brianno Coller, Northern Illinois University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

Conference Session

Special Session on Fixed-Point Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Anderson, Georgia Institute of Technology; Tyson Hall, Southern Adventist University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

Lecture AssessmentMuch of the lecture is in preparation for the laboratory exercises, so in practice, student lab-oratory performance reflects student performance relative to the lecture material. However,lecture material is assessed independently using the following methods.Homework Assignments Fixed–point signal processing involves many concepts that students can practice through homework assignments. These include converting number formats includ- ing Q-format, evaluating filter scaling factors and stability, analyzing through-put and latency for specific structures, and designing and converting various structures such as distributed arithmetic filters.Pre-lab Assignments The pre-lab assignments directly assess and promote those

Conference Session

Web-Based Education

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James Squire, Virginia Military Institute; Vonda Walsh, Virginia Military Institute; H. Francis Bush, Virginia Military Institute; Gerald Sullivan, Virginia Military Institute; Anthony English, University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

-alone software product and not as a web-basedapplication. Additionally, this data shows that decreasing the time delays inherent to a networkor software application does not improve learning in a proportional manner. From a cost-benefitspoint of view, only changes that result in the near-elimination of network delays to levels lessthan 60 ms are worthwhile. Page 12.1241.9Students’ subjective comprehension are harder to model than either objective comprehension orenjoyment ratings, possibly because a student’s self-confidence is more a function of personalitytraits rather than reflective of the learning experience. The graph is, therefore

Conference Session

Computed Simulation and Animation

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bill Genereux, Kansas State University, Salina

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

ofthought ignores the realities and interconnectedness of the world. Some writers such as PeterBlewett have expressed dissatisfaction with “professional programs that treated humanities andsocial sciences as an after-thought at best and an onerous irrelevancy at worst.” 2 Others call foreach discipline to recognize and appreciate the value of disparate fields of thought. “Scientistswould doubtless be better people if they were culturally literate, and ditto for humanists if theywere scientifically informed.” 3The importance of a broad based education is reflected in current ABET curriculum Page 12.959.2requirements for engineering and engineering

Conference Session

Programming for Engineering Students

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tammy VanDeGrift, University of Portland

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

opportunity to make several decisions and takeownership of their learning path while constructing solutions to the programming assignments.This relates to problem-based learning5, where students are given problems to solve and theyseek the necessary material, digest it, and apply it to solve the problem. A third learning theorythat informed the creation of the programming assignments is that of metacognition1,2. Learnersmust be aware of their own cognitive system and monitor their own learning process and style.The assignments were devised to have a tandem written summary, where students have anopportunity to reflect upon the learning process while (hopefully) providing a hook formetacognitive activity.2.2 Programming AssignmentsNine programming

Conference Session

Instrumentation and Laboratory Systems

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Hassan Rajaei, Bowling Green State University; Mohammad Dadfar, Bowling Green State University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

t T 3000 i m e 2000 1000 0 4 1 2 3 Basic Aggressive Lookahead Nodes Requested Multiple Queue Figure 7: Nodes Requested versus Waiting Time6.2 Gang Scheduling and BackfillingA policy is evaluated by scheduling criteria which reflect user’s parameters of interest. A fairand quick response time is

Conference Session

Programming for Engineering Students

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Timothy Baibak, Kettering University; Rajeev Agrawal, Kettering University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

computer game reflects a significant understanding of all portions required,in other words the algorithms and concepts needed. So by teaching students to program a game,it would also teach students several of the core concepts behind devising and programmingalgorithms, with the motivation to use those concepts to create new games. Therefore the level ofsynthesis has been reached, the students will create new games, and within those new games,they will learn and devise new algorithms and programming techniques.Teaching through programming games therefore becomes an advanced technique to achieve alevel of application that many current Computer Science curriculums cannot truly reach.Normally, only core concepts are taught, given no real aspiration

Conference Session

Educational Software

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jeff Joines, North Carolina State University; Stephen Roberts, North Carolina State University; Dianne Raubenheimer, North Carolina State University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

areneeded which can only be accomplished by programming. Observation 7: Modeling and programming must be integrated into an introductory computing course.Any introductory computing course in systems engineering needs to have both a modeling and aprogramming component. The modeling needs to reflect the way the discipline approachesproblem-solving while the programming needs to support problem-solving. Therefore, we donot want to simply substitute a more appropriate language for Java and then teach it in the samemanner. Therefore, we are arguing that we need develop a problem based approach that requirescomputing to solve these problem (i.e., teaching modeling and programming within the contextof discipline specific