Proposal

Next Slide The Computerization of a University Course
The Proposal
Multimedia via the World Wide Web for CGS 3422

Submitted by
Thomas Kisko
Industrial and Systems Engineering Abstract

CGS 3422 has utilized classroom computer projection systems for many years. The computer is used in the classroom to demonstrate the use of software (compilers, editors, debuggers, etc.). This proposal seeks to enhance the educational role of computers in CGS 3422.

The primary product of the proposed effort will be multimedia presentations that can be displayed in the physical classroom as well as in a “virtual” classroom. By using the World Wide Web, multimedia presentations shown in class may be replayed by students at a comfortable pace from their PC at home or on a lab PC on campus.

It is also proposed to develop Web pages that will allow students to download handouts, project descriptions and grades. In addition, students will be able to turn in (upload) their homework and projects via the Web.

CGS 3422

CGS 3422, Computer Programming for Engineers, is a two credit service course for the College of Engineering and the Math Department. It is offered every semester and has an annual enrollment of about 700. CGS 3422 is a required course for most departments in the College of Engineering. The course is offered in FORTRAN and C++. The C++ sections are currently account for more than two thirds of the enrollment. The summer 1996 syllabus for the C++ section of CGS 3422 is attached.

There is an optional one credit lab, CGS 3422L, which supplements the lecture course. The lecture course requires five projects. The lab course requires five additional projects that are, in general, subsets of the lecture projects. The lab gives less gifted students the foundation necessary to do well in the lecture class. CGS 3422L is taught in the CIRCA PC labs in Weil Hall.

CGS 3422 and CGS 3422L have been coordinated by Thomas Kisko for ten years. The majority of the teaching has been done by Mr. Kisko, although graduate students have conducted most labs and have taught some sections of the lecture course.

Thomas Kisko has developed 300+ page lecture note sets for both the FORTRAN and C++ sections of CGS 3422. The notes contain the overhead transparencies used in class and are available for purchase by students at a local copy center. Copies of selected pages of the lecture notes are attached.

The lecture notes largely meet the needs of the class. This proposal will supplement the notes. Selected multimedia images developed will be included in the notes. This will help students remember the multimedia presentation while studying or taking an exam.

Project Objectives

The specific objectives of the proposed effort are:

1. Increase the comprehension of complicated computer programming topics by students enrolled in CGS 3422 through the use of multimedia. The specific topics to be worked on include: function arguments, pointers, data structures and object oriented programming.

2. Increase the content of the material covered in CGS 3422. Objective 1 will be more efficient in covering concepts, therefore more concepts can be covered.

3. Increase the access to course materials. Multimedia presentations and other materials will be available on the Web.

4. Make turning in of projects and homework easier for the students and the instructor via Web submissions.

5. Make objectives 1 through 4 easy to implement by other faculty on this and other university campuses.

The Final Product

The final product of the proposed effort will be:

1. World Wide Web pages (HTML and CGI scripts) that make multimedia presentations on the following topics: function arguments, pointers, data structures and object oriented programming. If time permits, other topics may be converted to Web pages.

2. World Wide Web pages (HTML and CGI scripts) that allow students to access handouts (project descriptions, code examples, supplemental notes, etc.) and grade related information (grades, multiple choice exam results and project grader results).

3. World Wide Web pages (HTML and CGI scripts) that allow students to submit solutions to projects and homework.

4. Supplemental pages for lecture notes containing selected multimedia images.

5. A guide for other faculty describing how to do the above. Universal applicability will be a goal in the proposed effort.

6. A project final report.

The Web pages produced will be professional images that, in sequence, convey a complex concept. For example the concept of a linked list is one hard to explain or show with a static picture. With multimedia, the concept of adding a record to a sorted linked list will be much easier to convey. The instructor (and the student later) can “walk” through the process step by step (forwards and backwards).

Web audio (voice explanations) will be experimented with, but, because not all machines will be capable of reproducing it, any audio will be optional and supplemental.

Most work will be done for the C++ sections of the course. Where appropriate, pages will be developed that can be used for either C++ or FORTRAN, e.g. matrix multiplication.

Some of the material developed will also be used in ESI 4161 - Industrial Applications of Microprocessors, another class taught by Thomas Kisko.

Resources

Thomas Kisko has 25 years full-time experience teaching computer classes and developing professional computer applications. He has a Pentium 100 multimedia computer in his office on campus and a Pentium 133 multimedia computer at home. His department has a Pentium 100 multimedia computer on a mobile cart with a color VGA LCD projection display panel he uses for class presentations. There is network access in Weil 270 where CGS 3422 is taught. His office is immediately across from the CIRCA Weil Hall PC labs where CGS 3422L is taught.

Thomas Kisko has developed course materials and software for several classes. Examples include the 300+ page lecture note set for CGS 3422, the automated project grading system, the VAX based CGS 3422 menu system.

Thomas Kisko has already developed prototype Web pages to perform some of the tasks of this proposal. (See http://www.ise.ufl.edu/.) Much work needs to be done, but, there should be no more major technological hurdles.

The majority of the proposed work will be done by a graduate assistant. The assistant will work under the direction of Thomas Kisko, who will make most design decisions. The work performed by Thomas Kisko will be part of his normal assigned duties of teaching and administering CGS 3422.

Support Requested

The requested support includes:

1. One half-time graduate assistant for fall 1996 and spring 1997. The assistant will produce most of the deliverables of the project. The assistant will work under the direction of Thomas Kisko.

2. $500.00 for Web page development software and documentation.

3. Training and technical support from the Faculty Support Center

Impact

CGS 3422 is one of the largest classes in the College of Engineering. By satisfying the five objectives, the impact of the proposed work will be:

1. Students will grasp more complex concepts.

2. Students will see more material covered.

3. Students will have better access to course materials via the Web.

4. Students will be able to turn in projects and homework via Web submissions.

5. Faculty on this and other university campuses will have access to the technology to develop their own Web pages.

To measure the above impact, before and after exam scores can be compared. Course evaluation analysis will show student perceptions of impact. Other faculty using the concepts developed will certainly document the impact.

CGS 3422 has a history of being a very challenging class. This proposal seeks to make difficult course a bit easier for the less gifted students.

Attachments

A. - Syllabus for CGS 3422 - Summer 1996

B. - Selected pages from the CGS 3422 C++ Lecture Notes