Computer Engineering Commons^™

Work In Progress: Teaching Game Design And Robotics Together: A Natural Marriage Of Computing And Engineering Design In A First-Year Engineering Course, Adam R. Carberry, Ashish Amresh

Ashish Amresh

The increased dependence on computer programming in engineering has made it essential for engineering students to learn about programming throughout their undergraduate education. In the same vein, computing students benefit when given an opportunity to learn more about engineering design and systematic thinking. This paper discusses how one college embedded computing and engineering into a combined first-year introductory course. The course fuses computing and engineering using game design and robotics as an offering for both cohorts of students to work together in a multidisciplinary environment. Over the course of the semester, students learn introductory computing and engineering design concepts by …

Pythagorean Combinations For Lego Robot Building., Ronald I. Greenberg

Ronald Greenberg

This paper provides tips for LEGO robot construction involving bracing or gear meshing along a diagonal using standard Botball kits.

Pythagorean Approximations For Lego: Merging Educational Robot Construction With Programming And Data Analysis, Ronald I. Greenberg

Ronald Greenberg

Abstract. This paper can be used in two ways. It can provide reference information for incorporating diagonal elements (for bracing or gear meshing) in educational robots built from standard LEGO kits. Alternatively, it can be used as the basis for an assignment for high school or college students to recreate this information; in the process, students will exercise skills in both computer programming and data analysis. Using the paper in the second way can be an excellent integrative experience to add to an existing course; for example, the Exploring Computer Science high school curriculum concludes with the units “Introduction to …

The Engineering Admissions Partnership Program: A Navigation Strategy For Community College Students Seeking A Pathway Into Engineering, Marcia R. Laugerman, Mack C. Shelley, Steven K. Mickelson, Diane T. Rover

Diane Rover

This paper presents the evaluation of a program designed to improve transfer outcomes for community college students pursuing an engineering degree. The program, the Engineering Admissions Partnership Program (E-APP), was designed to improve the navigational success of community college transfer students through connections to the university. These connections include coordinated academic advising, peer-mentoring, campus visits, and online social and professional networks. The objective of the study is to determine the efficacy of the E-APP and its interventions, which will be measured by increased participation rates and increased university retention rates for E-APP participants. Outcome data for the students are analyzed …

Integrate Webex Recorded Meetings With Video Sharing Development, Zhi-Xue Xu

Zhi-Xue Xu

WebEx has provided powerful online meeting and video conference. Many important meetings have been held by WebEx. We should record these important meetings in time on WebEx. WebEx meetings can be recorded to the streaming video files that will be stored in the WebEx Server and back play them repeatedly if you want. The WebEx recorded meeting files with ARF format can be converted to WMV, SWF and MP4 format video files by WebEx Network Recording Player. The more different video formats, AVI, FLV, MOV, and MPEG4 also can be converted by third parties video convert software. The format WMV …

Social Media For Informal Science Learning In China: A Case Study, Ke Zhang, Fei Gao

Fei Gao

This article reports a case study on a popular informal science learning community via social media in China, named GuoKr (meaning “nutshell” in English). Data were collected through a variety of Chinese social media and social networking sites, web-based community portals, and discussion boards. Content analyses and data mining were conducted to investigate how GuoKr successfully attracted and engaged public in informal learning on scientific topics in particular. The study found three key characteristics that contributed to the success of such learning communities: (a) utilizing a variety of social media to empower participants with just-in-time, accidental learning opportunities; (b) daily …

Comparing Role-Playing Activities In Second Life And Face-To-Face Environments, Fei Gao, Jeongmin J. Noh, Matthew J. Koehler

Fei Gao

This study compared student performances in role-playing activities in both a face-to-face (FTF) environment and a virtual 3D environment, Second Life (SL). We found that students produced a similar amount of communication in the two environments, but the communication styles were different. In SL role-playing activities, students took more conversational turns, but have shorter exchanges compared to the FTF environment. Students generated an equal amount of topic-related concepts in the two environments. They also reported role-playing activities in SL as more interesting and less formal. The educational implications for this study are discussed.

Case Study Of Using A Social Annotation Tool To Support Collaboratively Learning, Fei Gao

Fei Gao

The purpose of the study was to understand student interaction and learning supported by a collaboratively social annotation tool — Diigo. The researcher examined through a case study how students participated and interacted when learning an online text with the social annotation tool — Diigo, and how they perceived their experience. The findings suggested that students participated actively in the collaborative learning activity and were engaged in a variety of behaviors including self-reflection, elaboration, internalization, and showing support. Although students generally had a moderately positive attitude toward using the social annotation tool for collaborative learning, a few problems were identified. …

Exploring The Use Of Discussion Strategies And Labels In Asynchronous Online Discussion, Fei Gao

Fei Gao

Drawing on research in both constrained online discussion environments and strategy instruction, this approach combines explicit instruction on discussion strategies with the use of post type labels. In a trial of this approach in an online course, students actively used the discussion strategies and post type labels in their discussion. Analysis of student posts and survey responses suggested that students in the experimental group used discussion strategies more frequently after the intervention as compared to the control group and perceived that this approach positively impacted their discussions. In addition, there is a certain degree of improvement in the quality of …

New Model Of Productive Online Discussion And Its Implications For Research And Instruction, Fei Gao, Charles Xiaoxue Wang, Yanling Sun

Fei Gao

We develop a new model of productive online discussion based on a brief review of research literature on online discussion. As compared to previous discussion models, the new model provides a more systematic and comprehensive framework to understand how learning occurs through online discussion. Based on the new model, we propose several directions for research on improving the quality of online discussion and learning.

Designing Asynchronous Online Discussion Environments: Recent Progress And Possible Future Directions, Fei Gao, Tianyi Zhang, Teresa Franklin

Fei Gao

Asynchronous online discussion environments are important platforms to support learning. Research suggests, however, threaded forums, one of the most popular asynchronous discussion environments, do not often foster productive online discussions naturally. This paper explores how certain properties of threaded forums have affected or constrained the quality of discussions, and argues that developing alternative discussion environments is highly needed to offer better support for asynchronous online communication. Using the Productive Discussion Model developed by Gao, Wang & Sun (2009), we analyzed current work on four types of asynchronous discussion environments that have been developed and researched: constrained environments, visualized environments, anchored …

Enhancing Student Experience In Team-Based Project Courses Using Essence Reflection Meetings, Todd Sedano, Cécile Péraire

Cécile Péraire

Background: Many software engineering curriculum contain a team-based project course. This is the case of Carnegie Mellon University Silicon Valley’s masters of science in software engineering. In this context, we have been using Essence Reflection Meetings for five semesters with 17 teams and approximately 70 students. During these meetings, the teams reflect on various project’s dimensions based on a systems thinking framework. The positive results have been published in research papers.

Activity and Discussions: Participants will learn about Essence Reflection Meetings for team-based project courses by practicing in a classroom environment. They will discuss challenges and solutions for team-based project …

Integrating Games To Teach A First Programming Course, Soumia Ichoua

Soumia Ichoua

In the past few years, there has been an increased interest in game-based learning as a powerful tool to stimulate students’ interest and promote their engagement in the learning process. In this paper, we discuss our experience in integrating gaming to teach a first programming course. The course is restructured and redesigned to allow teaching the basics of programming through games. Students actively use fundamental programming concepts learned to modify and create two dimension games using C# and XNA with .Net framework. This is an on-going work. Surveys and worksheets are developed to be used in assessing the effectiveness of …

Graduate Curricula In Software Engineering And Software Assurance: Need And Recommendations, T. B. Hilburn, Andrew J. Kornecki

Andrew J. Kornecki

In discussions about the development and use of computer systems and software products, the term “professional software engineer” is used repeatedly. In the last two decades there has been significant effort devoted to enhancing and advancing the state of professional software engineering (SwE) – new software engineering processes, methods, tools, and practices; creation of a software engineering body of knowledge [1]; development of a code of ethics and professional conduct [2], and software certification and licensing programs [3] . In 1989 the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) of Carnegie Mellon University published a landmark report on graduate education in software engineering …

Mobile Application Of Al-Quran And Arabic Language For Interactive And Self Learning Assistant For Support In J-Qaf Learning: A Survey, Noor Jamaliah Ibrahim, Zaidi Razak, Mohd Yamani Idna Idris, Zulkifli Mohd Yusoff, Noorzaily Mohamed Noor, Emran Mohd Tamil, Noor Naemah Abdul Rahman

Noor Jamaliah Ibrahim

Mobile technology in learning process is quite demanding, nowadays. It has a huge potential as a learning tool and also can be used as distance learning environment. This kind of technology is believed able to solve the current problem in j -QAF learning, especially the Arabic and Quran learning process. It is because, the current method of Arabic and Quran learning method, become less effective and unattractive to be implemented, especially towards the young Muslim generation. Moreover, todays busy lifestyle needs a modern and technological approach that able to optimize the study time and improve the learning process. This paper …

Using Plankton Imaging Technology And Computer Science For Biological Oceanographic Advancement And Education, Adam T. Greer

Adam T. Greer

Oceanography is an inherently interdisciplinary subject that combines observations of physics, biology, chemistry, and their interactions. While most physical and chemical measurements can be made on small scales (cm to m) through the use of sensors (temperature, salinity, pH, etc.), traditional tools to understand the biology of the ocean have only allowed for coarse sampling resolution (i.e., plankton nets sample large portions of the water column). New imaging technology enables the biological component of the ocean to be sampled on the same scale as the physical and chemical, allowing scientists to finally address the interactions among different oceanographic processes. Image …

The Effective Use Of Research Tools And Resources, Nader Ale Ebrahim

Nader Ale Ebrahim

This presentation is prepared to help scholars who seek to reduce the search time by extending the knowledge of researchers to more effectively use the “Research Tools" that are available through the Net.

Career Advising Workshop Exercise For Software Engineers, Todd Sedano, Mikelynn Romero

Todd Sedano

Carnegie Mellon University’s Silicon Valley Campus (CMU-SV) attracts science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students who want to make an impact in Silicon Valley, an area known for its innovative and entrepreneurial culture. The goal of the various CMU-SV masters programs is to provide a transformative educational experience – one that changes how the students perform in the workplace. The students are immersed in a “learn-by-doing” environment that makes them valuable members of the workforce as they graduate with practical experience in high-demand technical areas.

Despite this “state-of-the-art” graduate education in software engineering and software management, when it comes time …

The Legal Challenges Of Networked Robotics: From The Safety Intelligence Perspective, Yueh-Hsuan Weng, Sophie T.H. Zhao

Yueh-Hsuan Weng

A Critical Perfomance Analysis Of Thin Client Platforms, Faith J. Shimba, Renatus Michael

Faith Joel Shimba

The nature of operation of Thin Client computing makes their performance to be affected by both the quality of the network and the terminals. For the past few years, there are few analyses on the performance of Thin Clients that can produce reliable, valid, and up-to-date results collected in a well designed and evaluated experiment based research. This paper analyses the performance of Thin Clients through experiment based research. The approach is to use benchmark application which is designed specifically for measurement of desktop computers by inserting delays in the visual elements of such benchmark application. In this technique, packet’s …

Design Of A Gps-Web Fleet Tracking Application, Djilali Idoughi, Abdenour Alliche, Karim Touloum

Professor Djilali IDOUGHI

We describe our ongoing research investigations aimed at developing a Location-Based System integrating web and Geolocation technologies. This article addresses main design issues of a GPS and web based application dedicated to the fleet and assets tracking system.

Adding User Experience Into The Interactive Service Design Loop: A Persona-Based Approach, Djilali Idoughi, Ahmed Seffah, Christophe Kolski

Professor Djilali IDOUGHI

Approaches to service design share HCI's commitment to developing with and for people useful, usable and accessible services. However, there has been little explicit interaction between the emerging service sciences and the interaction design communities. This paper explores HCI's actual position and opportunities to service design and requirements and vice versa. We propose a design framework for service oriented interactive systems integrating the concept of persona. This enables to extract relevant elements towards deriving the design of the main functionalities of the user interface. This framework is applied to a case study of the e-maintenance of an agro-alimentary group.

Using The Case Study Methodology In Teaching, Deogratias Harorimana Mr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

This paper reviews the Why, How, to use the Case Study Methods in MBA teaching. The Presentation was prepared for and delivered as part of MBA students induction Programme in the Graduate School of Business.

User Experience In Service Design: Defining A Common Ground From Different Fields, Karim Touloum, Djilali Idoughi, Ahmed Seffah

Professor Djilali IDOUGHI

The emerging field of service design combines several methods mainly from the fields of product, software and interaction design, for designing the experience and interface to services. However, User eXperience design is not easy to understand because it is a new approach and covers many different fields (usability, psychology, marketing…). More often the design team members come from various domains with different cultural backgrounds such as engineers and marketing. Therefore, it is necessary to have a common definition to share the same understanding of this concept. In this paper, we investigate the main definitions proposed in the literature and the …

Ict And The Education Sector In Tanzania: Effectiveness Of Introducing And Applying Ict In Higher Learning Institutions In Tanzania: The Case Of Ardhi University, Kristofa S. Nkembo, Daniel Koloseni, Faith J. Shimba

Faith Joel Shimba

Academic Institutions are heavily investing in ICT in order to improve delivery and quality of education. But the process of introducing and applying ICT in Higher learning institutions is not effective to enable higher learning Institutions to reap fully the benefits offered by ICT. This book describes a number of factors that hindered the introduction and application of ICT at Ardhi University, which are limited ICT infrastructure, inadequate ICT personnel, inadequate training provided to staff, limited support services, inadequate financial resources,and insufficient budget for ICT infrastructure. Further it recommends among other things, improvement of ICT infrastructure, increasing the number of …

Challenges Associated With Ict Asset Disposal In Tanzania, Faith J. Shimba, Daniel Koloseni

Faith Joel Shimba

Government and non–Government institutions are heavily investing in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to enhance their businesses and operational activities. This trend has partially been inspired by the lift of computer ban in 1980s where millions of ICT assets had been imported. Subsequently, there is a rapid increase of Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Mobile Service Providers (MSP), and ICT asset vendors’ country-wide. This implies a massive increase in imported ICT assets as well as the number of ICT assets that are going out of the ICT asset life cycle. In order to study challenges facing Tanzania in disposing end of …

Computing Without Borders? Adapting An Irish Programme For The Tanzanian Ict Market, Faraja Igira, Herman Mandari, Bosi Masamila, Salehe Mwachaka, Zanifa Omar, Jafari Said, Faith J. Shimba, Rose Tinabo, June Barret, Damian Gordon, Paul Kelly, Fredick Mtenzi, Oliver O'Connor, Patricia O'Byrne, Ciaran O'Leary

Faith Joel Shimba

A Tanzanian higher education institution (Institute of Finance Management) and an Irish higher education institutio (Dublin Institute of Technology) have worked in partnership to develop the final stage of a Computer Science programme to meet the specific needs of the Tanzanian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. The designed stage sits above three stages of a programme designed for the Irish ICT sector which was transplanted to the Tanzanian context. The final stage is crucial as it represents the final bridge between the employment market and the programme, which is informed by the best practice, needs and requirements of both …

Cloud Computing: Strategies For Cloud Computing Adoption, Faith J. Shimba

Faith Joel Shimba

The advent of cloud computing in recent years has sparked an interest from different IT stakeholders. This is a result of the new economic model for the IT department that cloud computing promises. The model promises to remove the need for heavy investment for limited IT resources towards renting IT resources and paying based on usage. Although, the adoption of cloud computing promises various benefits to organizations, a successful adoption requires an understanding of different dynamics and expertise in diverse domains. Currently there are inadequate guidelines for adoption and this book proposes a roadmap for cloud computing adoption called ROCCA. …

Vers Un Développement Orienté Services Des Applications Interactives Dans Le Domaine De La Logistique, Étude De Cas, Djilali Idoughi, Christophe Kolski

Professor Djilali IDOUGHI

Cet article contribue au domaine de l’interaction homme-machine (IHM), en proposant un cadre méthodologique global en vue de la spécification de systèmes interactifs dans le domaine de la logistique, pouvant aller jusqu’à la e-logistique. La logistique est vue au sens large en étudiant les besoins des différents acteurs d’une organisation complexe, vis-à-vis de l’exploitation de nouvelles technologies où l’accent est mis sur les services web et l’architecture orientée services. Le cadre proposé a été appliqué sur une étude de cas complexe représentative, relative à la fonction logistique d’un groupe agro-alimentaire.

Persona Comme Outil De Design De Services Interactifs: Principes Et Exemple En E-Maintenance, Ahmed Seffah, Christophe Kolski, Djilali Idoughi

Professor Djilali IDOUGHI

Dans ce papier, nous discutons du rôle du persona comme outil de modélisation et d’analyse de l’expérience utilisateur. Ce concept est issu des travaux de recherche de marketing sur le comportement du consommateur. Sa finalité est une meilleure compréhension et une prise en compte de l’expérience de l’utilisateur final. L’Expérience Utilisateur ou client (UX) est un terme générique désignant une collection d’information couvrant le comportement de l’utilisateur, incluant les connaissances, l’expertise, et les attributs décrivant la personnalité de l’usager. Un cas d’exemple en logiciel comme service pour la e-maintenance illustre l’approche persona. Le Software as a Service (SaaS, logiciel comme …