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Recipient Project Abstracts
Fall 2005
Technology-based Research Category:
Portable Battery of Cognitive Performance Tasks with Haptic
Controlled Response Selection for Analysis of Errors
PI: Brad Brubaker, Psychology
Research focuses on identifying the types of cognitive errors people make
in different situations using cognitive assessment devices from a variety
of sources (CDs, internet, paper and pencil) to evaluate general cognitive
processes. The analysis of the errors produced when people complete these
tasks has encouraged the use of error analysis in the study of error rates
in the real world (making wrong turns, leaving behind objects, and forgetting
intentions). The current project will create a new cognitive assessment
device by presenting a visual maze and recording the errors (wrong choices)
during maze solving and consolidate the measures previously used into portable
battery of cognitive assessment devices on a single medium (tablet computer).
This will allow data collection from people in the real world that have been
observed making cognitive errors.
Emerging Technologies Category:
Development of a Dynamic Networked Robotic Workcell
PI: William W. Clyburn, Electronics and Computer Technology
CoPI: Joe Ashby, Electronics and Computer Technology
The purpose of this grant is to seek funds to upgrade the educational
capabilities of the Rixan Robotics Laboratory in the College of Technology.
The desired result is to create a dynamic experiential learning situation for
the teaching of industrial networking, workcell control systems, and robotics.
This grant will create a DH-485 industrial networking infrastructure between 4
Mitsubishi robots and 5 Allen-Bradley programmable logic controllers. The
resulting Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) workcell can be used for the
teaching of advanced manufacturing techniques, and in the simulation of
manufacturing practices for the purposes of research.
GIS Learning Enhancement in Farrington's Grove: A Local Outreach Project
PI: Nancy Obermeyer, Geography, Geology & Anthropology
Two laptops loaded with ArcGIS software, two digital cameras, and two Global
Positioning Systems will be used by students in the PI’s Geographic Information
Systems classes, Introduction to GIS and GIS Applications. In each course, students
work on a real-life project in Terre Haute that requires them to build a GIS from
scratch. This requires them to capture local data and put it into digital format.
Capturing data directly in digital format will enhance their experience and prepare
them for their own projects later on.
Implementation and Evaluation of High Quality Video Streaming Over
Wireless LAN for Biomechanical Analysis at Indiana State University
PI: Alfred Finch, Physical Education
CoPI: Timur Mirzoev, College of Technology
The purpose of this project is to setup a high quality video stream that wirelessly
transfers data to a remote computer for biomechanical analysis. The intent is to
create an Ad hoc wireless network (802.11a/g) with the following components:1.) Laptop
for video transmission, 2.) Desktop for media reception and storage, and 3.) 802.11 a/g
router and access points. This unique project will benefit ISU students in Exercise
Science, Coaching, Athletic Training, and ISU Athletic programs. Also it will bring
technological novelty to ISU and innovation to the world of biomechanics. The
combination of student experiences using the existing Sport Analysis Center and the
proposed wireless video streaming system will provide them with an extremely unique and
highly technical experiential opportunity that will distinguish them from other students
throughout the US when competing for highly prestigious jobs.
Incorporating Dynamic Geometry Software into the Teaching of College Geometry
PI: Elizabeth Jones, Mathematics and Computer Science
Co PI: Henjin Chi, Liz Brown, Mathematics and Computer Science
Future mathematics teachers need experiences learning mathematics from multiple perspectives
using multiple approaches. The Mathematics Education program at ISU currently incorporates
many hands-on learning experiences and well as many experiences using and evaluating materials
that are designed for use in the secondary classroom. We would like to use technology to
enhance the discovery experiences of students in College Geometry (Math 323.) Students will
use Geometers Sketchpad to quickly explore many geometric figures, make conjectures about
properties of those figures and finally prove their conjectures. They will also gain experience
using technology to create lesson plans which guide high school or middle school students to
discover geometric properties. Finally, it is hoped that students will be able to present their
ideas at a conference for math teachers.
Polycom ViewStation Implementation for the College of Technology
PI: Jeff McNabb, Manufacturing and Construction Technology
Augmented by funding from the College of Technology, the ITIMP grant will be used to
purchase and install a Polycom ViewStation FX and all of the necessary peripheral
equipment in COT. The Polycom unit will enable the immediate use of local subject matter
experts to augment classes, expand professional development opportunities for faculty,
and possibly allow faculty to teach classes at a distance via Polycom and fiber (as with
Sullivan High School CAD classes). The unit will facilitate more frequent visual
conferencing (as well as audio) with the universities that are within the Ph.D. Consortium.
Other benefits include thinking and experimenting in a near Internet-2 mode and using the
unit during Ph.D. defenses with consortium members. This video-conferencing equipment will
also be used in several distance education laboratory projects currently underway in COT.
Programmable Logic Controllers for Ilearntek Remote Labs Development
PI: Joe Ashby, Electronics and Computer Technology
One of the short falls in distance education is the lack of laboratory experiences.
Answering this need, several College of Technology faculty members have been engaged in
the development of experiential remote labs systems. The remote lab approach leverages the
use of web technologies to enable the student to receive lab experiences via the Internet.
Through past grants for web-enable video and process control hardware equipment, first-
generation remote lab systems have been developed and are in use. This funding request
allows for the purchase of Programmable Logic trainers to be used in the launch of Ilearntek,
which is a remote lab outreach program targeting Indiana high school and workforce
development learners in the area of automation and industrial training.
Use of Adobe Connect (Breeze) for Defense of Master's Culminating Projects
and Theses
PI: Betsy Frank, Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Nursing
CoPI: Susan Eley, Lea Hall, Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Nursing
The purpose of this pilot project is demonstrate the feasiblity of
using Adobe Connect (Breeze)
as a vehicle for Distance Education Students to present, in real time, their Culminating
Projects and Theses. The project will include the development of a training module for
faculty and students via Macromedia Adobe Connect (Breeze) and the purchase of web cams for students to
borrow for the presentations. Evaluation will consist of two parts: use of our standard
oral communication tool to evaluate presentation skills and an evaluation of the use of
the technology itself. It is hoped that once the feasibility for this presentation format
has been established, it can then be used in other courses for live and/or archived
presentations.
Virtual Environments for Internship Conferences
PI: Steve Gruenert, Educational Leadership, Administration, and Foundations
CoPI: Josh Powers, Educational Leadership, Administration, and Foundations
The purpose of this grant would be to pilot a project that employs a virtual environment
for internship conferences, seminars, and meetings. The cost of visiting interns has
become prohibitive, yet these meetings are an integral part of what makes our programs
distinctive. It is our intent to maintain, indeed enhance, our high quality programs while
potentially supplanting a portion of those visits with virtual meetings in cyberspace.
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