Sunday 31 March 2013

Raspberry PI Event - Useful Sources

In a previous posting the training event for students was discussed: http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/raspberry-pi-event-26th-march-2013.html

In this post I wish to share some of the sources that were used to provide basic Raspberry PI skills and request comments on others that could be used.

- how to find the operating system on-line; download and install the operating system on to a SD Card.
I found this resource from Adafruit useful: http://learn.adafruit.com/downloads/pdf/adafruit-raspberry-pi-lesson-1-preparing-and-sd-card-for-your-raspberry-pi.pdf by Simon Monk and the main download site for Raspberry PI OS http://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads

- Setting up the Raspberry PI including selecting basic configuration settings. Again Adafruit one by simon Monk http://learn.adafruit.com/downloads/pdf/adafruits-raspberry-pi-lesson-2-first-time-configuration.pdf

Are there others you would recommend?

More details of BCS Northampton can be found at: http://northampton.bcs.org/
Details about Raspberry PI can be found at: http://www.raspberrypi.org/faqs
Link to a set of video tutorials: http://www.youtube.com/user/RaspberryPiTutorials
training event for students was discussed: http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/raspberry-pi-event-26th-march-2013.html

Wednesday 27 March 2013

Raspberry PI Event - 26th March 2013

An event organised by BCS Northampton; University of Northampton Computing Society (details of the society can be found at: http://www.northamptonunion.com/society/UoNComputingSoc/) and Department of Computing and Immersive Technology, University of Northampton, ran a training event for Computing students on the Raspberry PI.

Twelve students spent sometime on 26th March 2013 looking at:-
- how to find the operating system on-line; download and install the operating system on to a SD Card;
- Setting up the Raspberry PI including selecting basic configuration settings;
- Investigating the desktop and the software included.

The two goals of the session were:-
- to provide training to a group of students who could offer basic Raspberry PI support for a BCS Northampton event later in the year;
- to encourage the students to come up with their own ideas on what they could demonstrate at the same event.

More details of BCS Northampton can be found at: http://northampton.bcs.org/
Details about Raspberry PI can be found at: http://www.raspberrypi.org/faqs
Link to a set of video tutorials: http://www.youtube.com/user/RaspberryPiTutorials

Monday 25 March 2013

Dr Scott Turner- robots, genetic algorithms and problem-solving

Some rights reserved by Patrick Hoesly

Research Interests

Robotics
Problem-solving and computer-related pedagogy
Genetic Algorithms and Neural Network Applications
Signal Progressing

Recent Publications

Turner, S (2012) Case Studies in Web Sustainability Ariadne No 70 ISSN: 1361-3200

Maunder, R., Turner, S., Sneddon, S. and Crouch, A. (2012) Editorial. Enhancing the Learner Experience in Higher Education.4(1), pp. 1-2. 2041-3122.

Kariyawasam K., A., Turner S., Hill G. (2012) "Is it Visual? The importance of a Problem Solving Module within a Computing course", Computer Education, Volume 10, Issue 166, May 2012, pp. 5-7, ISSN: 1672-5913.

Hill G., Turner S. (2012) "Referencing within Code in Software Engineering Education!", Computer Education, Volume 10, Issue 166, May 2012, pp. 1-4, ISSN: 1672-5913.

Hill G, Turner S (2011) Chapter 7 Problems First 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 June 2011

Wang, Y., Picton, P., Turner, S. and Attenburrow, G (2011) The Subjective Measurement of Leather Handle by Descriptive Sensory Analysis, Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association, Apr 2011 pp 134-139

Wang, Y., Picton, P., Turner, S. and Attenburrow, G (2011) Predicting Leather Handle like an Expert Artificial Neural Networks, Applied Artificial Intelligence, Volume 25, Issue 2 February 2011 , pages 180 - 192 ISSN: 0883-9514DOI:10.1080/08839514.2011.545218 pp 180-192.

Turner S and Hill G (2010) "Innovative use of Robots and Graphical Programming in Software Education" Computer Education Ser. 117 No. 9 pp 54-57 ISSN: 1672-5913

Turner S and Hill G(2008) "Robots within the Teaching of Problem-Solving" ITALICS vol. 7 No. 1 June 2008 pp 108-119 ISSN 1473-7507

Kaczmarczyk S, Mirhadizadeh S, Picton P, Salamaliki-Simpson R, Turner S (2013) Modelling, simulation and experimental validation of nonlinear dynamic interactions in an aramid rope system ICOVP Lisbon, Portugal 9-12 September 2013 (accepted)

Hill G and Turner S (2013) Electronic Online Marking Of Software Assignments (EOMOSA) CEISIE 2013 13th -14th May 2013 Milan (accepted)

Turner S (2013) Junkbots HEA STEM: Annual Learning and Teaching Conference 2013: Where practice and pedagogy meet 17 Apr 2013 - 18 Apr 2013 (accepted)

Turner, S. and Al-Sherbaz, A. (2012) What's the problem with problem-solving? Seminar Presentation presented to: Insights into the future of learning and teaching at Northampton, University of Northampton, 3rd December 2012.

Turner S (2011) Neural Nets Robotics Workshop. Bot Shop! University of Derby, 28th October 2011.

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

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

Zhao F, Turner S, Hill G, Dravid R, Zhang Y (2010) A Virtual Environment Training System for Haptic Laparoscopic Surgery 16th International Conference on Automation and Computing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK, 11 September 2010

Turner S (2010) "PowerPoint is just the start" Learning Dialogues: Learning and Teaching Conference, University of Northampton 13th May 2010

Turner S (2010) "Initial Experience of using Audio Feedback" Learning Dialogues: Learning and Teaching Conference, University of Northampton 13th May 2010

Turner S(2009) " PowerPoint, but what else?"10th Higher Education Academy-ICS Conference, University of Kent, 24-27th August 2009, pp 151 ISBN 978-0-9559676-6-5

Turner S (2009)"Initial experience of using audio feedback for general assignment feedback" A Word In Your Ear 2009 Sheffield Hallam University, 18 December 2009 pg 12

Turner S, Hill G, Adams J (2009) "Robots in problem solving in programming" 9th 1-day Teaching of Programming Workshop, University of Bath, 6th April 2009.

Turner S (2009) "Tiddlywikis for student developed resources" Transitions: Teaching and Learning Conference 13th May 2009 University of Northampton.

Turner S (2008) "TiddlyWikis for Student Developed Resources" 9th Higher Education Academy-ICS Annual Conference, Liverpool Hope University, 26th August - 28th August 2008. pp. 192 ISBN 978-0-9559676-0-3.

Turner S and Adams J (2008) "Robots and Problem Solving" 9th Higher Education Academy-ICS Annual Conference, Liverpool Hope University, 26th August - 28th August 2008. pp. 14 ISBN 978-0-9559676-0-3.

Minai, A, Turner S, and Hill. G (2008) "Motivational Differences in Learning Internet Programming Between Arts and Computing Students" 9th Higher Education Academy-ICS Annual Conference, Liverpool Hope University, 26th August - 28th August 2008. pp. 197 ISBN 978-0-9559676-0-3.

Adams, J. and Turner, S., (2008) Problem Solving and Creativity for Undergraduate Computing and Engineering students: the use of robots as a development tool Creating Contemporary Student Learning Environments 2008, Northampton, UK.

Adams, J. and Turner, S., (2008) Problem Solving and Creativity for Undergraduate Engineers: process or product? International Conference on Innovation, Good Practice and Research in Engineering Education 2008, Loughborough, UK.

Adams, J., Turner, S., Kaczmarczyk, S., Picton, P. and Demian, P.,(2008). Problem Solving and Creativity for Undergraduate Engineers: findings of an action research project involving robots International Conference on Engineering Education ICEE 2008, Budapest, Hungary.

Contact: scott.turner@northampton.ac.uk
Profile:http://www.northampton.ac.uk/people/scott.turner

ORCID reference: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2735-3220

Editorial Board for ITALICS

Some rights reserved by Patrick Hoesly

italics-editorial-board

ITALICS - Innovation in Teaching And Learning in Information and Computer Sciences

Members of the Editorial Board:

Stephen Hagan (Editor in Chief), University of Ulster
Tom Crick, Cardiff Metropolitan University
Neil Gordon, University of Hull
Alan Hayes, University of Bath
Lyndsay Marshall, Newcastle University
Andrew McGettrick, University of Strathclyde
Rebecca Strachan, Northumbria University
Scott Turner, University of Northampton

Details about the journal can be found at: http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/journals/italics

Thursday 21 March 2013

University to create MMOG with students

BSc Computer Games Development lead by Martyn Simmons is the focus of an article by the Magazine EDGE about plans to develop a massively multiplayer game ( MMOG). The MMOG is just one of the aspects considered, a game involving Stoke Bruene Canal is discussed as is the Games courses multidisciplinary nature.

BSc Computer Games Development
HND Computer Games Development

Also mentioned in the article is NVision and the advantages of having on-site immersive environment equipment.

For more details see: University of Northampton to create MMOG with students
The article can be found at: http://www.edge-online.com/get-into-games/university-of-northampton-to-create-mmog-with-students/2/

Computing Courses

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

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.

The contents are the opinion of the author(s) and not necessarily the view of the University of Northampton.

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Dr Ali Al-Sherbaz: Mobile, wireless and networking

Research interests

Computer Network and Wireless Technologies
Mobile Ad-Hoc Routing
Signal Processing and Cognitive Radio
Cybernet Security
Computational Mathematics

Recent Publications

2013

ihsan lami, Ali Al-Sherbaz (2013) W2BC: A Proposal for a Converged Baseband Implementation of WiMax and WiFi Transceivers International Journal of Information and Network Security (IJINS) Vol.2, No.1, February 2013, pp. 426 - 437 ISSN: 2089-3299

2012

Dravid R and Al-Sherbaz, A (2012) Optimization of Routing Protocols for Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) to Achieve Higher Quality of Service for Real-Time Applications 3rd Annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, Bangalore, India, December 12-14 2012
Turner, S. and Al-Sherbaz, A. (2012) What's the problem with problem-solving? Seminar Presentation presented to: Insights into the future of learning and teaching at Northampton, University of Northampton, 3rd December 2012
Al-Sherbaz Ali, Dravid Rashmi, Svennevik Espen and Picton Phil (2012)" iSurvival: A Collaborative Mobile Network System for Disaster Management" PRO-VE’12 -13th Working Conference on Virtual Enterprises : Collaborative Networks in the Internet of Services, University of Bournemouth, 1-3 October 2012
Al-Sherbaz A, Dravid R (2012) "Ultilising Mobile Mesh Networks for Disaster Management" M4D2012, 27-29 February 2012, New Delhi, India

2011

Al-Sherbaz A, Minai A, Xue J, Dravid R (2011) "An Embedded Pedagogic Model for Computer Forensics within an
Undergraduate Programme" 7th Annual Teaching Computer Forensics Workshop, University of Sunderland 10th November 2011

2010

AL-SHERBAZ, A.; KUSELER, T.; ADAMS, C.; MARŠÁLEK, R.; POVALAČ, K. (2010) WiMAX Parameters Adaptation Through A Baseband Processor Using Discrete Particle Swarm Method. International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies, Cambridge Press, 2010, vol. 2010 (2), no. 2, p. 1 - 7. ISSN: 1759- 0787.

2009

Al-Sherbaz A., C. Adams, S. Jassim (2009) “WiMAX-WiFi Convergence with OFDM Bridge”, SPIE Defence and Security Proceeding Conference, Orlando, Florida USA, April-2009.

2008

Al-Sherbaz A., C. Adams, S. Jassim (2008) “Convergence in wireless transmission technology promises best of both worlds”, SPIE Opt electronics and Optical Communications newsroom, Nov-2008
Al-Sherbaz A., C. Adams, S. Jassim (2008) “Private Synchronization Technique for Heterogeneous Wireless Network (WiFi and WiMAX)”, SPIE Defence and Security Proceeding Conference, Orlando, Florida USA, March-2008
Li F., A. Al-Sharbaz, S. Jassim, and C. Adams (2008), “Credibility Based Secure Route Finding in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks”, SPIE Defence and Security Proceeding Conference, Orlando, Florida USA, March-2008

Contact: ali-al-sherbaz@northampton.ac.uk

Profile: http://www.northampton.ac.uk/people/ali.al-sherbaz

Related

Sunday 17 March 2013

Dr James Xue: distributed and cloud computing

Research Interests

Enterprise system performance modelling and evaluation, resource management
Distributed computing, cluster/grid computing, cloud computing
Object databases, distributed databases, mobile databases, ORM technologies, etc

Recent Publications

J.W.J.Xue and A. Yahya. (2012) “Critical Analysis of ECM Applications in the Clouds: a case study”, International Journal of Computer Science and Information Technology (IJCSIT) Vol.4 No. 3, June 2012. ISBN:0795-4660.

M. Al-Ghamdi, A.P. Chester, L. He, S.A. Jarvis, J.W.J. Xue. (2011) “Dynamic Active Window Management: A Method for Improving Revenue Generation in Dynamic Enterprise Systems”. 11th IEEE International Conference on Scalable Computing and Communication (SCALCOM’11). Aug. 31st– Sep. 2nd, 2011. Pafos, Cybrus.

Al-Sherbaz A, Minai A, Xue J, Dravid R (2011) "An Embedded Pedagogic Model for Computer Forensics within an
Undergraduate Programme" 7th Annual Teaching Computer Forensics Workshop, University of Sunderland 10th November 2011

J. W. J. Xue and Stephen A. Jarvis "QoS-aware Service Selection" to the book " Agent-based Service-Oriented Computing". In series Advanced Information and Knowledge Processing. Springer 2010. ISBN: 978-1-84996-040-3

J. W. J. Xue, A. P. Chester, L. He and S. A. Jarvis. Model-driven Server Allocation in Distributed Enterprise Systems. Communications of SIWN. Vol. 6, pp. 42-50. 2009.

James W.J. Xue, Adam P. Chester, Ligang He and Stephen A. Jarvis, "Model-driven Server Allocation in Distributed Enterprise Systems", The 3rd International Conference on Adaptive Business Information Systems (ABIS 2009). Leipzig, Germany, 23-25 March 2009

M.Al- Ghamdi, A.P. Chester, J.W.J. Xue and S.A. Jarvis. (2009) “The Effect of Server Reallocation Time in Dynamic Resource Allocation”. UK Performance Engineering Workshop (UKPEW’09).July 6th, 2009. Leeds, UK.

Adam P. Chester, James W.J. Xue, and Stephen A. Jarvis, "A System for Dynamic Server Allocation in Application Server Clusters", IEEE Symposium on Parallel and Distributed Processing with Applications (ISPA'08). Sydney, Australia. 10th-12th Dec, 2008.

A. P. Chester, J. W. J. Xue, L. He and S. A. Jarvis. A System for Dynamic Server Allocation in Application Server Clusters. The 24th UK Performance Engineering Workshop. Imperial College London. 03-04 July 2008.

J.W.J. Xue, A.P. Chester, L. He and S.A. Jarvis. (2008) “Dynamic Resource Allocation in Enterprise Systems”. 14th IEEE International Conference on Parallel and Distributed Systems (ICPADS’08). December, 8th-10th. Melbourne, Australia.

Contact: James.xue@northampton.ac.uk
Profile: http://www.northampton.ac.uk/people/james.xue

Related

Monday 11 March 2013

Dr Yinghui Zhang: haptics and virtual reality

Dr Zhang research interests include haptics, virtual reality, argumented reality and GPGPUs, Computer Graphics, Virtual Environment

Sample Publications

Padillia I, Zhang Y (2012)Developing a haptic interface to manipulate and section high polygon models from x-ray data, international conference on electrical engineering and computer science (EECS201)
For more detail: http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/developing-haptic-interface-to.html

Zhang Y (2010) A Multi-asperity Surface Contact Model for the Simulation of Friction in Virtual Environments, Proceedings of Virtual Reality International Conference (VRIC 2010), 7-9 April 2010, Laval, France. RICHIR Simon, SHIRAI Akihiko Editors.
For related work: http://www.academia.edu/181641/Multi-asperity_based_friction_modelling_and_haptic_rendering_in_virtual_environments

Zhao F, Turner S, Hill G, Dravid R, Zhang Y (2010) A Virtual Environment Training System for Haptic Laparoscopic Surgery 16th International Conference on Automation and Computing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK, 11 September 2010
For more detail: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/3271/

Related

Sunday 10 March 2013

Gary Hill: solving problems

Referencing within Code in Software Engineering Education!

Computer Education 05/2012; 10(166):1.

ABSTRACT Traditionally computer sciences courses will assess software code. It is common and accepted good practice (as in written reports) to reference other sources of appropriate material. However there appears to be no explicit method, recommendation or advice available to computer science tutors and students on a referencing approach!

This paper aims to stimulate discussion from peers involved in software engineering education. By discussing the apparent lack of ‘referencing within code’ advice to students and proposing suggestions for appropriate solutions. This will be based on the authors’ experience of assessing code and the current advice given to their students.

Is it Visual? The importance of a Problem Solving Module within a Computing course

Computer Education 05/2012; 10(166):5.

ABSTRACT This paper looks at student’s view of the usefulness of a problem solving and programming module in the first year of a 3-year undergraduate program. The School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton, UK has been investigating, over the last seven years the teaching of problem solving. Including looking at whether a more visual approach has any benefits (the visual programming includes both 2-d and graphical user interfaces). Whilst the authors have discussed the subject problem solving and programming in the past this paper considers the students perspective from research collected/collated by a student researcher under a new initiative within the University.

All students interviewed either had completed the module within the two years of the survey or were completing the problem-solving module in their first year.

Robots within the Teaching of Problem-Solving

ITALICS 06/2008; 7(1):108.

ABSTRACT This paper considers the experiences of teaching on a module where problem-solving is taught first, then programming. The main tools for the problem-solving part, alongside two problem-solving approaches, are tasks using Mindstorm (LEGO, Denmark) robot kits. This is being done as a foundation step before the syntax of a language (Java) is taught to enable a Graphical User Interface (GUI) emulation of a previous robot problem.
Results of student evaluation and feedback will be presented and the use of twosimulators will be considered.

See more: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226670964_Robots_within_the_Teaching_of_Problem-Solving/file/9fcfd50af6c1001b55.pdf

A virtual environment training system for haptic laparoscopic surgery

16th International Conference on Automation and Computing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, 11 September 2010.

Source: OAI

ABSTRACT Most of the existing laparoscopic simulations which use simple objects are only for the purpose of the training of laparoscopic surgical skills. We have designed and developed an early prototype of a laparoscopic simulation system in which almost all of the soft tissue organs are modeled as deformable models which can be manipulated using a laparoscopic instrument with haptic feedback. Physics-based modeling is applied to realize collision detection, force rendering and elasticity deformation. A new mechanism to analyze and evaluate the injuries to the soft issues is introduced. Preliminary experimental results show that the simulator can meet the requirement of 1 kHz haptic loop update rate under complex virtual scene

Green computer science courses. No more labs full of computers, we?re going mobile!

THE PROCEEDINGS OF 7TH CHINA - EUROPE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON SOFTWARE INDUSTRY- ORIENTED EDUCATION held at the University of Northampton, May 2011

ABSTRACT Traditionally computer sciences courses have been taught using laboratories full of expensive desktop computers. This approach may have been valid in the 80, 90?s and even the early part of this decade. This paper suggests that buying; maintaining and replacing laboratories full of computers are no longer a requirement. This paper raises the issues associated with such a ?bold? step, but offers potential solutions that, in some cases, may make Computer Science courses at such ?brave? institutions more appealing

Full Text: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226659197_Green_computer_science_courses._No_more_labs_full_of_computers_were_going_mobile!/file/79e41510e60e16971f.pdf

Problems first

In book: Software Industry-Oriented Education Practices and Curriculum Development: Experiences and Lessons, Publisher: IGI Global, Editors: M. Hussey and B. Wu and X. Xiaofei

ABSTRACT This chapter considers the need to focus initial programming education on problem-solving, in advance of programming syntax and software design methodology. The main vehicle for this approach is simple Lego based robots programmed in Java, followed by the programming of a graphical representation/simulation to develop programming skills. Problem solving is not trivial (Beaumont & Fox, 2003) and is an important skill, central to computing and engineering. An approach will be considered, illustrated with a series of problem-solving tasks that increase in complexity at each stage and give the students practice in attempting problem-solving approaches, as well as assisting them to learn from their mistakes. Some of the problems include ambiguities or are purposely ill-defined, to enable the student to resolve these as part of the process. The benefits to students will be discussed including students? statements that this approach, using robots, provides a method to visually and physically see the outcome of a problem. In addition, students report that the method improves their satisfaction with the course. The importance of linking the problem-solving robot activity and the programming assignment, whilst maintaining the visual nature of the problem, will be discussed, together with the comparison of this work with similar work reported by other authors relating to teaching programming using robots (Williams, 2003)

Sample text: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226659396_Problems_first/file/9fcfd4fdf34473fa2f.pdf

Robots in problem-solving and programming

ABSTRACT This paper looks at the experience of teaching on a module where problem-solving is taught first, then programming. The main tools for the problem-solving part, alongside two problem-solving approaches, are tasks based on using Mindstorm (LEGO, Denmark) robot kits. This is being done as a foundation step before the syntax of a language (Java) is taught. Results of student evaluation will be presented.

Full text: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226659414_Robots_in_problem-solving_and_programming/file/d912f50da1e318c214.pdf

Motivational differences in learning internet programming between arts and computing students

ABSTRACT This poster discusses the observations on learning differences of teaching internet programming to Arts and Computing students on a common undergraduate programming module

Full text: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/31872049_Motivational_differences_in_learning_internet_programming_between_arts_and_computing_students/file/d912f511b4f6282379.pdf

Computing in Northamptonshire