Commendation for Redefining Women in IT poster

A poster has presented at the ‘Gender and Interdisciplinary Education for Engineers -  GIEE 2011’ UPMC - Campus des Cordeliers, Paris, France., By Rashmi Dravid (School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton) and Catherine Klimes (Head of Careers and Employability, University). 


The poster focused on their work on  a six-month-long pilot project is being run at the University of Northampton that saw female students undertaking Computing degrees at The University of Northampton being mentored by professional women already working in the sector. More details are available here.

Their poster received special commendation at the Conference.

Web Sustainability Project: State of the Project

In an earlier blog (http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.com/2011/04/website-sustainability.html) a JISC funded project was describe which uses google sites to capture and include some aspects of the East Midlands Development Agency (emda) Innovation portal, which itself will no longer exist, due to the abolishment of Regional Development Agencies. 

Where is the project at the moment?

The website under-development is currently completely separate from the www.emkn.org site and is hosted on a Google sites site with connections to a Dropbox site (used as at temporary measure)

Main page: sites.google.com/site/emknorg/home

Three examples of other pages are shown below:

Example 1: Networking and Good Practice : sites.google.com/site/emknorg/services/networking-good-practise

Example 2: Technological Services: sites.google.com/site/emknorg/services/technological-services

Example 3: Enterprise Development: sites.google.com/site/emknorg/services/enterprise-development

The flash based Tube image has been converted into a more search engine friendly image map and HTML links and ALT tag describing the link aiding accessibility.

Click here for the image map

Content is being migrated from the dropbox to Google Sites

Google analytics has been added to the site both Google sites and Dropbox to capture that information. Analytics is also add to this blog.

The site is out for consultation, co-ordinated by EMUA, with stakeholders on the way it looks, features needed. Further separate consultation via an on-line survey is expected before the end of June 2011.

Please feel free to follow the links.

This project has been supported by a grant from JISC. For more details about this project can be found at the project blog.

Lego Mindstorms – Sentry Robots

Sameer Kumar Shrestha

The report presents the dissertation on title Prototype of Sentry Robots for Advanced Security which includes the use of LEGO robots showing interaction between each other with the help of wireless communication medium in Bluetooth. The purpose of the work is to build a communication between multiple LEGO robots using the wireless technology. For this task, the NXT version of LEGO Mindstorms has been selected. It is because there is need of complex communication which is possible through wireless medium such as Bluetooth and also a suitable processing device for the proposed task which is present in the LEGO Mindstorms NXT. The report has also focused on the background information about the NXT system and its great flexibility with LeJOS NXJ as the programming platform. The outcome is the implementation of developed work with the use LEGO Mindstorms NXT and the LeJOS NXJ as programming platform. The task was approached with one LEGO NXT robot maintaining the distance between the object in the environment and searching the object by rotating in case of lost. After the completion of the first task, the next task was to study the communication behavior of multiple robots communicating with each other to fulfill the same job. For this, three NXT robots were taken and programmed in such a way that they form the shape of triangle and keep tracking the object.  All three of them send and wait for the information from each other and process this information to produce a suitable output, i.e. to respond to the action from each other. Thus, it was found that the implementation of several processes to multiple LEGO based communication had faults, due to the technical hitches with the communication technology and limitations of the NXT systems.

BSc and HND Computing Provision (click on the links below for more details of the courses)

• BSc (Hons) Computing (also available part-time)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Computer Systems Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Mobile Computing)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Software Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing - One Year Top-up
• BSc  Computer Games Development
• HNC Computing (part-time)
• HND Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• HND Computing (Computer Systems Engineering)
• HND Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• HND Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• HND Computing (Mobile Computing)
• HND Computing (Software Engineering) 
• HND Computing
• HND Computer Games Development

The University of Northampton's, Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies offers five courses within the MSc Computing postgraduate provision (shown below) all available either part-time or full-time. 

• MSc Computing
• MSc Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• MSc Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Software Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Immersive Technologies)

Lego Mindstorms – Rubik’s Cube Solver

Lego  Mindstorms – Rubik’s Cube Solver

Alexandru Safcencu

The Swedish programmer Hans Anderssen has designed in 2008 a robot, using Lego Mindstorms NXT 1 kit, that solved a Rubik’s cube autonomously via Herbert Kociemba’s Two-Phase Algorithm. Over the time, other programmers attempted to build robots such as his and have proven to be faster and better at detecting the colors of the cube.

Inspired by Anderssen’s creation, the author of this dissertation took the challenge of  improving Andersson’s initial project so that it could match the performances of other similar projects, only using original Lego hardware.

To reach that goal, the author of this dissertation proposed to swap the Lego light sensor, used by Anderssen, with Lego’s latest color sensor. After doing some research, the author of this dissertation realised that the color sensor would indeed solve the color detection problem and thus it would be a useful implementation.

While Anderssen’s robot was able to solve a cube in approximately five minutes, his competition managed to build robots that would do it in less than a minute. To solve that problem, the author of this dissertation proposed that he would build a Java application which would make computing a solution considerably faster. The author also suggested that he would base the Java application on the Bluetooth connectivity.

While Anderssen’s robot could not calculate a solution for a cube using heuristic methods due the limited computing power available, building a Java solution that would run on a computer would allow the implementation of a more optimal algorithm. This approach would lower the time it takes the robot to solve the cube in two ways:

1) The java application on the computer can make use of the powerful processor and compute a solution in a couple of seconds.

2) Because the java application has a heuristic algorithm implemented (still based in Two-Phase algorithm) it could compute a shorter solution of up to twenty moves. A shorter solution would mean less moves for the robot to perform and a shorter overall time of execution.

Out of these objectives, the author of the dissertation has managed to fully implement the Lego color sensor and partially implement the Java application. The robot can solve a Rubik’s cube autonomously using the color sensor but it cannot receive a solution from the Java Application. Up to this point, the author of this dissertation has managed to implement the Bluetooth connectivity within the Java application which successfully connects the computer to the robot. 

BSc and HND Computing Provision (click on the links below for more details of the courses)

• BSc (Hons) Computing (also available part-time)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Computer Systems Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Mobile Computing)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Software Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing - One Year Top-up
• BSc  Computer Games Development
• HNC Computing (part-time)
• HND Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• HND Computing (Computer Systems Engineering)
• HND Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• HND Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• HND Computing (Mobile Computing)
• HND Computing (Software Engineering) 
• HND Computing
• HND Computer Games Development

The University of Northampton's, Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies offers five courses within the MSc Computing postgraduate provision (shown below) all available either part-time or full-time. 

• MSc Computing
• MSc Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• MSc Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Software Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Immersive Technologies)

Apps for coffee

An iPhone App that helps  find the closest Expresso Service Engineer using the iPhone GPS has been developed by two members of the Computing Department (Gary Hill and Espen Svennevik)at the School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton . It is also a gateway to Xpress Coffee’s mobile web site. 

The App XpressoEngineerFinder is for Xpress Coffee based near Milton Keynes: http://www.xpresscoffeeuk.co.uk/

The XpressoEngineerFinder app can be found at: Xpress coffee

This is the second iPhone App developed within the Department. The first Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) App, has already had over 2000 downloads and can be found at:

http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/ncc-northamptonshire/id432288976?mt=8 with an Android version of Northamptonshire County Council App coming soon.

SELF SERVING SOFTWARE FOR THE FAST FOOD INDUSTRY

Kumuditha Achini Kariyawasam

As the consumers, we are expecting the best quality products and services
from the every customer focused industry and when we are considering the
fast food industry, it has not achieved the full potential of the technological development. After completing the ethnographical research, the developer has realised that the self-serving software model can only achieve the existing and upcoming challenges of this industry.

Therefore this project based on designing and developing the customer focused self-serving software model for the fast food restaurant. A Large fast food company providede the key system for the entire project and the developer mainly focused the human computer interaction techniques to enhance the usability of the developing system according to the Agile Methodology and Rapid Application Development Methods.


The final output of the project is the fully functional self-serving software model for the fast food restaurant.  The implementation of the new system development could theoretically improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the industry as well as the high standard customer satisfaction.

BSc and HND Computing Provision (click on the links below for more details of the courses)

• BSc (Hons) Computing (also available part-time)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Computer Systems Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Mobile Computing)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Software Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing - One Year Top-up
• BSc  Computer Games Development
• HNC Computing (part-time)
• HND Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• HND Computing (Computer Systems Engineering)
• HND Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• HND Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• HND Computing (Mobile Computing)
• HND Computing (Software Engineering) 
• HND Computing
• HND Computer Games Development

The University of Northampton's, Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies offers five courses within the MSc Computing postgraduate provision (shown below) all available either part-time or full-time. 

• MSc Computing
• MSc Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• MSc Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Software Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Immersive Technologies)

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

Aleksandra Dziubek

The dissertation focuses on various aspects of Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) - a type of online systems created to support traditional education methods and provide better student-teacher communication.

Research was conducted to learn more about the VLEs currently available on the market (Moodle and Blackboard) and compare their functionalities. Also the features of NILE - the VLE presently used by the University of Northampton - were investigated in terms of usefulness and user satisfaction.

Based on the research results a prototype of a new VLE for the University of Northampton was created and presented to the students and tutors of the Computing division of the University of Northampton. The web application is aimed at improving user experience and encouraging students and tutors to make the most of the offered functionalities.
The users can create their personal profile, find and add the modules they teach/study, view module profile, find people they know and add them as their friends. The users can also post messages visible to their friends and upload files. Other functionalities include Organizer - a section where useful information about public transport, time tables and upcoming assignments can be found.

The prototype received very positive reviews from the students and tutors who took part in testing. The survey that was conducted among the testers showed that they rated the prototype higher than the existing one.
The authoress made an effort to use only valid code when implementing the application and make sure that it works properly on all popular web browsers, including mobile browsers.
Screenshots are taken from the website.

BSc and HND Computing Provision (click on the links below for more details of the courses)

• BSc (Hons) Computing (also available part-time)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Computer Systems Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Mobile Computing)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Software Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing - One Year Top-up
• BSc  Computer Games Development
• HNC Computing (part-time)
• HND Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• HND Computing (Computer Systems Engineering)
• HND Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• HND Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• HND Computing (Mobile Computing)
• HND Computing (Software Engineering) 
• HND Computing
• HND Computer Games Development

The University of Northampton's, Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies offers five courses within the MSc Computing postgraduate provision (shown below) all available either part-time or full-time. 

• MSc Computing
• MSc Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• MSc Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Software Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Immersive Technologies)

MY UNi- android application for mobile phones.

Emilian Jedrzak

     The project creates a prototype application for mobile smart phones using the Android Operating System (OS). The application is aimed at facilitating access to information contained on The University of Northampton (UoN) web site (University of Northampton (2011)). The app will connect with the University’s existing databases and return relevant information, as well as being able to check news and events within the University. In addition, the prototype application will give us the opportunity to check student and university news, university events, student timetable and help contact the appropriate University Offices  stuff by phone or email. The application also will have Google maps,  application also  have extra features such as setting wallpaper, app information.   The author tried to redesign The University of Northampton web page to allow mobile access more efficient, more user friendly make getting to the information needed by student in quick and straightforward. The Screenshots are taken from the app.

 

BSc and HND Computing Provision (click on the links below for more details of the courses)

• BSc (Hons) Computing (also available part-time)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Computer Systems Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Mobile Computing)
• BSc (Hons) Computing (Software Engineering)
• BSc (Hons) Computing - One Year Top-up
• BSc  Computer Games Development
• HNC Computing (part-time)
• HND Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• HND Computing (Computer Systems Engineering)
• HND Computing (Graphics and Visualisation)
• HND Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• HND Computing (Mobile Computing)
• HND Computing (Software Engineering) 
• HND Computing
• HND Computer Games Development

The University of Northampton's, Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies offers five courses within the MSc Computing postgraduate provision (shown below) all available either part-time or full-time. 

• MSc Computing
• MSc Computing (Internet Technology and Security)
• MSc Computing (Computer Networks Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Software Engineering)
• MSc Computing (Immersive Technologies)

May was a good month for computing

May 2011 has been a good month for the school in terms of publishing in Learning and Teaching, but particularly good for Computing. Seven papers involving 6 members of the division (including one student and an Executive Dean) have been presented this month.

• Hill, G, Svennevik E, Turner S (2011) "Green Computer Science Courses. No more labs full of computers, we’re going mobile!" The 7th China - Europe International Symposium on Software Industry Oriented Education (CEISIE 2011), University of Northampton 23-24th May 2011
• Bechkoum K, Staughhan K, Scobell K(2011) "Towards a Sustainable Computing Education " The 7th China - Europe International Symposium on Software Industry Oriented Education (CEISIE 2011), University of Northampton 23-24th May 2011
• Turner S (2011) "Junkbots" The 7th China - Europe International Symposium on Software Industry Oriented Education (CEISIE 2011), University of Northampton 23-24th May 2011
• McGovern K, Mothersole P, Turner S (2011) "Influencing students’ construction of personalised concept maps through the use of query expansion (QE) searching of the World Wide Web" Learning Global, University of Northampton 11th May 2011
• Kariyawasam K and Turner (2011) "Is it Visual? problem solving evaluation" Learning Global,University of Northampton  11th May 2011
• Goodchild T, Dravid R, Turner S (2011) "Mind the Gender Gap – Reflections on addressing gender diversity in Computing and Engineering" Learning Global,University of Northampton  11th May 2011
• Dravid R and Klimes C (2011) "CyberSpace - the New Women Frontier for Mobile Communications"  Learning Global,University of Northampton  11th May 2011

With several papers submitted, accepted or in press in the next few months including contributions in the forthcoming book: Software Industry-Oriented Education Practices and Curriculum Development: Experiences and Lessons  edited by Drs. Matthew Hussey, Xiaofei Xu and Bing Wu.  ISBN: 978-1609607975 IGI Global