Number 1

Educational Challenges Presented by COVID-19 at Technical Colleges Offering Aviation Maintenance Technology Program

Manav Jain ¹ , Tara Morris ² , Jonathan Beck ³ , Karen Johnson ⁴ , Rebecca Short ⁵ , Katherine Shakour ⁵ , Kapil Chalil Madathil ✉ ⁶

1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology

2 School of Computing, Clemson University

3 National Center for Autonomous Technologies, Northland Community and Technical College

4 Department of Aviation Technologies, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

5 Center for Workforce Development, Clemson University

6 Departments of Civil and Industrial Engineering, Clemson University

Abstract

In mid-March, many schools in the United States were forced to stop teaching in-person classes and switch to an online format due to the COVID-19 pandemic; as a result, teachers had to quickly implement new technologies and instructional strategies in the classroom. This rapid pandemic response especially affected teachers and students in Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) programs around the country as AMT instruction is inherently hands-on in nature.

Read the full article here

Multi-Year Case Study in Blended Design: Student Experiences in a Blended, Synchronous Distance Controls Course

Download PDF

DOI Coming Soon

Alisa Gilmore ✉ ¹ , Tareq Daher ² , Markeya Peteranetz ²

1 Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Nebraska – Lincoln

2 Engineering & Computing Education Core, University of Nebraska – Lincoln

Abstract

This case study combines two primary areas of literature, blended learning and synchronous distance instruction. The literature provides various interpretations and definitions of blended learning. We define blended learning as a classroom learning model that integrates in-person and online asynchronous instruction with reduced time in class. We discuss blended learning with a synchronous distance teaching component that incorporates evidence-based instructional strategies. We explore a specific mode of synchronous distance instruction where the faculty member is physically located with one set of students and other students are connected into the class remotely. In our case study, students are located in two classrooms on two campuses that are sixty miles apart.

Read the full article here

Promoting STEM to Middle School Girls through Coding and Fashion

Barbara L. Stewart

Professor, Human Development and Consumer Science
University of Houston
bstewart@uh.edu

Carole Goodson

Professor, Technology
University of Houston
cgoodson@uh.edu

Susan L. Miertschin

Associate Professor, Teaching, Computer Information Systems
University of Houston
smiertsch@uh.edu

Susan L. Schroeder

Lecturer, Program Manager
University of Houston
SSchroeder@uh.edu

Misha Chakraborty

Adjunct Professor
University of Houston
Prairie View A&M University

Marcella Norwood

Associate Professor, Program Coordinator, Global Retailing M. S.
University of Houston

Abstract—Informal education approaches such as science camps have been used to promote interest in STEM fields for pre- college students. This paper presents the evaluation of outcomes of a computing outreach initiative targeting middle school aged girls from populations currently underrepresented in STEM. A fashion and retail themed code camp was offered free of charge through a grant from the Texas Workforce Commission and was assessed to be highly successful with respect to student and parent satisfaction. Assessment for changes in attitudes toward STEM and coding also showed positive changes. Read the full article here “Promoting STEM to Middle School Girls through Coding and Fashion”

Innovative VR-Based Research to Develop Intuitive Human Computer Interaction

Magesh, Chandramouli Computer

Graphics Technology
Purdue University Northwest,
Hammond, USA
magesh@pnw.edu

Abstract— This paper explains the design of a prototype desktop and augmented Virtual Reality (VR) framework as a medium to deliver instructional materials to the students in an introductory computer animation course. To be of use to other instructors or researchers interested in implementing a similar framework like this, the paper provides information on the hardware, software, and the concept inventory components of this framework. This framework was developed as part of a Teaching Innovation Grant at a Midwestern University to propose some cost-effective and innovative instructional frameworks to engage and stimulate students. This paper is an extended version of the paper presented at the CoED division of the ASEE conference and it presents VR modules and assessments with some modified techniques to the earlier version presented at the annual conference. This paper also shows the relevance of the methods used in the context of other STEM curriculum in addition to graphics and modeling courses. Read the full article here “Innovative VR-Based Research to Develop Intuitive Human Computer Interaction”

A Pattern Recognition Framework for Embedded Systems

Frank Vahid

Tony Givargis

Roman Lysecky

Abstract— Embedded systems often implement behavior for common application domains, such as the control systems domain or the signal processing domain. An increasingly common domain is pattern recognition, such as determining which kind of fruit is passing on a conveyor belt. Embedded system students and designers typically are not experts in such domains and could benefit from simpler platforms to help them gain insight into the problem of pattern recognition and help them develop such algorithms rapidly. Generic frameworks, such as PID (proportional- integral-derivative) for control, or FIR (finite impulse response) for signal filtering, empower non-expert embedded system designers to quickly build robust systems in those domains. We introduce a generic pattern recognition framework, useful for education as well as for various real systems. The framework divides the task into three phases: feature extraction, classification, and actuation (FCA). We provide template code (in C) that a student or designer can modify for their own specific application. Read the full article here “A Pattern Recognition Framework for Embedded Systems”