F. Jakab

Enabling long distance education with realtime video

Education as we have known is changing. Thanks to information and communication technologies we have connected and brought teachers and students together in several ways. While the modern classroom is equipped with interactive whiteboards, teachers are using laptops and presentations, collaboration and team work of students is supported with Web 2.0 tools, still the high quality of the whole educations relies in the hand of excellent teachers. For some schools though, it might be challenging to get such teachers, especially in rural regions. In this paper we are presenting our experiences using real-time communication and collaboration tools to teach complex topics to people on another side of the World. The paper shows how modern Internet tools can provide a platform and place to study online, either using advanced videoconferencing - TelePresence, or using Cisco WebEx, or Google Hangouts. It is based on a case study of a longtime cooperation in this field between the Technical University of Kosice (TUKE), Slovakia, Europe and the Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVUSD), Phoenix, Arizona, USA. The key message of the paper is: The power of high quality real-time video is in live face-to-face communication, emotions, gestures, body language, etc. Using such a communication channel we can deliver high quality education to any place on the World with Internet connectivity.

Innovative learning stories for teachers based on latest IT technologies

This paper deals with new ways of teaching and learning with major support of new technologies and software solutions in primary and secondary schools. Children are keen to use new technology, mobile devices, and internet applications. They use it more for out of school activities. School has to explore the potential of new technologies and offer curricula in attractive way. Connection between traditional and on-line content should be found, linking existing educational objects into IP world is necessary. Teachers are facing new challenges how to teach in a new setting different generation of pupils. This paper brings review of some tools and presents selected learning scenarios which should help to do so. Paper also presents project iTEC funded by European Commission which helps to solve some of the problems that teachers are facing. The research project wants to identify trends for future classroom, recognize best practices and test them in 1000 classrooms throughout the Europe.

Human face detection in still image using Multilayer perceptron solution based on Neuroph framework

Artificial neural networks (ANN) are one of the dominant learning techniques used in the field of artificial intelligence and have significant assets as their properties imitate the behavior of neurons in human brain. In this paper is presented the research focused on ANN, specifically Multilayer perceptron (MPL) with the aim of detection of human face in the still image. This system was implemented in the Java programming language and its utilizing the software framework called Neuroph, which is primary used precisely for neural networks. Evaluation part presents complex testing procedures and introduces possibilities to modify and set the individual parameters that enhance the overall detection process. Novelty of this research is in the use of ANN for several reasons, one of these being the utilizing of software framework, testing of the parameters and detailed description and evaluation on what influences the detection process. However the principal strength lies in the utilization of ANN for detection of faces rather than for a recognition. Utilization of Neuroph framework is an alternative to the systems that are focused on the detection of faces in still images and are commonly implemented in different programming languages.

Visual system for student attendance monitoring with non-standard situation detection

In this paper we propose a visual system for monitoring of student attendance in seminars and lectures. Basic idea is to estimate the number of people in the room using face detection algorithms and subsequently utilize face recognition algorithms to determine the actual identification of persons (students). Presented approach may be used for multiple purposes. Principal and primary purpose is to monitor attendance, which is possible thanks to university database. When implemented, system is expected to evaluate the attendance automatically or if necessary using collaborative authentication. Non-standard or anomaly detection is another feature that is to be provided by system, subject to tracking are hands, eyes and movement. Proposed solution is expected to improve and facilitate attendance monitoring of students at seminars and lectures. Further it may be used for anomaly prevention (e.g. cheating) and in specific cases for security or legal matters.

Exception modeling in the category

This paper deals with the design of algebraic specification and categorical model for exceptional conditions at the level of lambda calculus. We construct a category of type representations for signaling and handling exceptional conditions of simply typed lambda calculus. Consequently, the proposed approach is implemented in functional programming language OCaml.

Kinect as a tool in estimation of selected human body dimensions

The aim of this paper the extraction of human body dimensions using the latest Microsoft Kinect device. Another focus is the analysis of various application of this device in specific branches of science and research and its application in estimation of dimensions. Brief analysis of the device itself is carried out as well. The principal output of this paper the software application that utilizes data from Microsoft Kinect sensor in order to estimate the height of human body as well as the length of its limbs. Further comparison between both generations of Kinect devices is carried out.

The experience from implementation of National telepresence infrastructure in Slovakia to support research, development and technology transfer

Almost two hundred sites located mostly at Universities were equipped in 2015 with latest videoconferencing devices and connected to one national network. This was covered by national project named National telepresence infrastructure to support research, development and technology transfer (NTI). This paper presents technological challenges behind, integration of hardware and software solutions in multi-vendor environment, problems faced and results after one year of usage. All technical and organizational work was covered by Slovak Centre of Scientific and Technical Information in Bratislava. This project had to fight with more problems, not only of technological nature, but mostly with providing help to end users allowing them to see advantages in new way of collaboration and changing the way they think and work. Implementation has brought fully new custom web based services designed and created based on experience with academic institutions and feedback gathered after project launch.

Secured web oriented videoconferencing system for educational purposes using WebRTC technology

This work deals with the means of videoconferencing systems ran by web browsers. It analyzes certain contemporary videoconferencing solutions and technologies used for multimedia streaming. It also describes the WebRTC technology terminology and presents the reader with its benefits. It sketches certain options for security enhancements for visual stream transmission via computer network. Based on the proposed concept it was possible to create an experimental web oriented videoconferencing system with a dual layer security policy in which students and teachers are able to communicate via chat and share files with each other besides audio and video communication.

Proposal for specialized online archive of multimedia object

This article is dedicated to the online archive of multimedia objects for educational purposes. Ultimately, it is a study tool to help students better understand and deepen the information, which assume lectures or to practice the exercises. The reason to make this archive was find educational materials for the teaching of computer network KPI FEI TUKE. The first task was to understand how to develop in Drupal CMS environment for this archive. It should be vytvotiť own user interface for using custom themes written in PHP, HTML, JS and CSS. This archive was created in partnership with a number of students who cooperated in the selection of materials and the creation of the portal. This archive has general use and is easily attachable to Ostané area výčby different subjects at various universities.

eSkills for Jobs 2014 in Slovakia: IT fitness test for students

The IT Fitness test 2014 was organized as a part of eSkills for Jobs campaign again. This year, the testing included two independent tests - one for the pupils of elementary schools and second for the respondents over 15 years. In our research we evaluated data from young people from 15 to 30, mainly students of secondary schools and universities who filled in the latter test. We tried to track down development of IT skills and knowledge during the secondary school study and to compare the results for particular school types and school grades.