http://www.smete.org Newest 10 learning objects added at SMETE.ORG http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=9D0EAF0D-6DC3-45A3-9AD8-47976792F9ED In this paper we propose a new approach of how and what to teach in the introduction to programming course for engineers. We believe the classic approach of teaching programming by teaching a programming language is no longer appropriate for the new generations of students. We use the idea of the parachute paradigm used in specification of models to gradually introduce the notions of programming instead of the syntax and semantics of a programming language. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:55:31 GMT Unknown http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=9D0EAF0D-6DC3-45A3-9AD8-47976792F9ED Unknown 2010-03-14T19:55:31Z http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=7F63F5C1-2E7A-43E1-938B-149CBC860AB9 In this paper we propose a new approach of how and what to teach in the introduction to programming course for engineers. We believe the classic approach of teaching programming by teaching a programming language is no longer appropriate for the new generations of students. We use the idea of the parachute paradigm used in specification of models to gradually introduce the notions of programming instead of the syntax and semantics of a programming language. Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:55:10 GMT Gerardo M. Sarria M. http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=7F63F5C1-2E7A-43E1-938B-149CBC860AB9 Gerardo M. Sarria M. 2010-03-14T19:55:10Z http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=B06C09EA-5627-4C23-9A2E-C8A51D7AA7F4 Engineering Pathway's "Today in History" for April 6. Excerpt: "Today in History – April 6, 1938 – Teflon ® is discovered. In 1938, Du Pont researcher Roy J. Plunkett and his technician Jack Rebok accidentally discovered the chemical compound polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that was later marketed as a commercial product in 1946 under the name Teflon®. Discovery of Teflon® is a good example of serendipity in scientific discovery. Plunkett was researching chemical reactions of the gas perfluoroethylene in order to synthesize new types of refrigerant gases. Rebok found an apparently defective cylinder of this gas and when they opened it found a slippery white powder that had unusual properties – a chemically inert, a very high melting point and low surface friction. He realized it was formed by an unexpected polymerization. In the beginning, the use of Teflon ® did not “stick” and it took many years to go to market. Although it is sometimes cited as an example of a spin-off from the US space program, its first significant use was in the Manhattan Project, as a material to contain highly-reactive uranium hexafluoride. DuPont sold Teflon ® as a commercial product in 1946 with use in nail polish, plastics, cookware, machinery and wiring." Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:17:15 GMT John Prados http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=B06C09EA-5627-4C23-9A2E-C8A51D7AA7F4 John Prados 2010-03-13T17:17:15Z http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=A8197643-AC17-4A19-B471-64EC35E0BCB6 "Women have been making an impact on computing since the days of the Electronic Numerical Integrator Analyzer and Computer (ENIAC). Yet, the contributions of women in information technology (IT) have been largely down-played or ignored. Two of the greatest challenges facing early women IT pioneers were the lack of feminine role models and gender bias. Unfortunately, those challenges have yet to be entirely overcome today and more significantly, there are still few role models for women in IT fields.The disinterest and decline of women in computer-related degrees and consequently, in IT careers, has its roots embedded in a society that typically still pays its female workers far less than their male counterparts. More significantly, gender-related bias has found fertile ground to flourish in our nation's secondary and higher education institutions, where genetics, as recently as January 2005, was held up as a determining factor in women's IT aptitude and success.In this paper, the authors will focus on the historic and current challenges faced by women who pursue IT careers and the reasons for the growing decline of women in these fields. In addition, the authors will discuss the methods that educational institutions can implement to recruit and retain women in IT degrees such as gender myth debunking and mentoring programs, female-centric professional development opportunities and the establishment of role models." Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:02:18 GMT Lori Mardis http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=A8197643-AC17-4A19-B471-64EC35E0BCB6 Lori Mardis 2010-03-12T22:02:18Z http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=9F9684F6-0FD7-4289-8F4A-0D98D24E0B73 The purpose of this paper is to introduce the reader to a freshman engineering design project where students designed a kite-based aerial imaging system by applying sound engineering problem solving criterion. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:31:50 GMT Ibibia.K. Dabipi http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=9F9684F6-0FD7-4289-8F4A-0D98D24E0B73 Ibibia.K. Dabipi 2010-03-12T20:31:50Z http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=1529AA72-C68D-4C8B-8408-A2877CC77A2C The paper describes a new approach to Computer Engineering curriculum design which has been made in Engineering Faculty of Dokuz Eylul University of Izmir, Turkey. This approach is based on a Module-Based Active Learning model. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:16:57 GMT Tatyana Yakhno http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=1529AA72-C68D-4C8B-8408-A2877CC77A2C Tatyana Yakhno 2010-03-12T20:16:57Z http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=478B8E26-854E-4A34-9179-BF9CBCAB6BDB These pages contain some fairly blunt suggestions about what to do in college. Some of them may seem strange to you, some might seem old fashioned, and most will come across as labor intensive. But they have worked very well for many students over the past 20 years, since the first edition came out. This edition is more up to date, but the basic message has not changed much. A fundamental idea that you will encounter over and again, is that learning is not something that just happens to you, it is something that you do to yourself. You cannot be “given” learning, nor can you be forced to do it. The most brilliant and inspired teacher cannot “cause” you to learn. Only you can do that. What follows are some fairly explicit “learning activities” or behaviors, but they are all your activities, and now and then those of your fellow students. But there is also a basic assumption underlying these ideas, and that’s that you do want to learn something while getting a diploma. Without that desire, nothing will work. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:51:10 GMT Robert Leamnson http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=478B8E26-854E-4A34-9179-BF9CBCAB6BDB Robert Leamnson 2010-03-12T17:51:10Z http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=86EFD7D8-35F0-40C6-8A7C-501226A36428 This engaging new classroom poster invites students to make connections between their interests, goals, and dreams and the many opportunities that computing provides for reaching out to the world. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:03:41 GMT CSTA http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=86EFD7D8-35F0-40C6-8A7C-501226A36428 CSTA 2010-03-10T22:03:41Z http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=93641925-07D2-40FC-AEE7-7865E69FBC71 This is the Google campus version of Stats 202 which was taught at Stanford invsummer (2007). The material can be found at www.stats202.com. The main topics are exploring and visualizing data, association analysis, classification, and clustering. The textbook is Introduction to Data Mining by Tan, Steinbach and Kumar. Googlers are welcome to attend any classes which they think might be of interest to them. Credits: Speaker:David Mease Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:30:00 GMT David Mease http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=93641925-07D2-40FC-AEE7-7865E69FBC71 David Mease 2010-03-10T15:30:00Z http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=4312CB51-F0B8-4AB8-B93E-890ACC5489DF This review introduces the concepts of gender bias and technology in education. It discusses the interaction between the two in the educational setting and the effects this interaction may have on teachers, students and materials used in the classroom. It is argued that areas in the educational setting that have been focused on as materials and practices that are biased have also been translated into the use of educational technology that is biased. This review makes the point that biases that have been pointed out and studied within the educational system have not been solved by the use of technology (as some had hoped). In fact, the biases have simply been converted into a new form and may have actually served to undo some the bias-eliminating practices that had been starting to take place in classrooms. Implications and suggestions for change are discussed. Citation: Computers & Education, Volume 50, Issue 3, April 2008, Pages 1052-1068. Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:21:09 GMT Karyn M. Plumm http://www.smete.org/smete/public/learning_objects/summary/?lo=4312CB51-F0B8-4AB8-B93E-890ACC5489DF Karyn M. Plumm 2010-03-10T00:21:09Z