James L. Mohler

RSS as a course information delivery method

Technology has changed the way students interact with instructors as social networking and collective intelligence become primary facilitators of course information. One such method emerging with each new web creation is the integration of really simple syndication (RSS). Although RSS came about in the 90s, it is only in recent years that it has taken on a form of delivery that can easily be applied to the classroom. While dissemination of information is regularly done via lectures and course websites, in this case RSS was implemented to provide students an alternate method of receiving course announcements. This paper details a study in which RSS was implemented into a freshman level course as a method of distributing course announcements. In addition, this paper discusses the findings of the study to determine the usefulness and effectiveness of RSS in the classroom.

Utilizing desktop virtual reality to enhance visualization: applied projects from the Department of Computer Graphics

Virtual reality technologies provide a unique method for enhancing user visualization of complex three-dimensional objects and environments. By experience and environmental interaction, users can more readily perceive the dimensional relationships of objects typically portrayed via static multiview or pictorial representations. Until recently, many of the VR technologies required significant computing power for adequate delivery and provided realism that is often less than actual. Alternatively video-based VR technologies overcome the two major limitations of true three-dimensional VR technologies-computing horsepower and realism. The focus of this contribution is to provide background information on VR technology for the improvement of spatial abilities, describe the advantages of video-based VR technologies, and provide examples showing how video-based VR can be used to enhance visualization in education and training.

Really Simple Syndication (RSS): An Educational Approach

Todays post-secondary students are technologically savvy and they expect faculty to use myriad web technologies for course delivery. This includes taking advantage of email, course web sites, and online learning communities. However, expectations now also include RSS, blogs, web- and pod-casting, extending the classroom experience to provide active learning materials anytime, anywhere, and in multiple modalities. This contribution outlines the novel use of RSS technology for a course announcement system at Purdue University. It begins by describing RSS technology and discussing the different possibilities for RSS within classroom. It also describes the specific RSS application for real-time course announcements, detailing its creation and implementation. Initial student feedback is also presented. Editors: Patrick McAndrew (Open University, UK). Reviewers: Tony Hirst (Open University, UK) and S. Jeff Cold (Utah Valley University, USA).

Migrating course materials to the World Wide Web: a case study of the department of technical graphics at Purdue University

This paper examines the implications, advantages, and limitations of utilizing the World Wide Web for course delivery and administration. Significant discussion is given to the negative aspects of web development. These include the interdisciplinary nature of creating Web media and the time required to create those materials, the bandwidth and data rate limitations surrounding Web delivery, and issues concerning the appropriateness, validity, and authorship of Web materials. The latter portion of this paper presents a method for describing the level to which the Web is utilized in university courses, as well as the current level of integration being used in the Department of Technical Graphics at Purdue University.

An investigation of best practices for interactive content controls

This contribution presents an experimental design that seeks to answer the question of which type of interactive control works best for interactive, map-based content on the Web. The study used a matched pairs t-test and found a significant difference between a joystick/trackball-oriented interactive control versus two different control mechanisms that were based on multi-directional buttons. While the content of the study focused on map-based content, the findings have applicability to other content forms. Additionally, the quantitative approach used in this study provides a framework for work in the fields of usability and interface design as it relates to computer graphics.

Visual communication en masse: An update on the Purdue University Virtual Visit

VISUAL COMMUNICATION is vitally important to a variety of disciplines. Generally information is communicated in a way deemed appropriate for the discipline, governed by established rules based on prior research. However, when communicating to general audiences en masse, it is imperative that information be presented as simply as possible—the rules governing specialized scientific communication may or may not be applicable. In short, accessing information should be straightforward, allowing the user to efficiently gain the knowledge for which they are searching. Visual content that is presented should be clear, concise, and accurate. With this in mind, this contribution discusses issues related to delivering spatially oriented data to the general populace. Communication through computer graphics should be for the masses as much as it is for individual disciplines. As such, the first half of this paper examines issues related to visual communication for the mass population. The later half provides an update on one such resource,The Purdue University Virtual Visit, being used for visualization and communication at Purdue University and abroad.

Work in progress — A health information technology centralized web application

Healthcare is not about seeing patients anymore; the focus has shifted. Patients are concerned with the cost associated with the care and the amount of time they will spend at the doctors office and away from work. Doctors are concerned with administration, management, business development, cost, review boards, lawyers, insurance companies, government, specialists, continuing education, and patient education. The focus is seldom on the doctor-patient relationship anymore. Improving the effectiveness of the patient data management system can help alleviate some of these issues so that more time can be spent focusing on that relationship. This study centers on faculty-led undergraduate students developing, implementing, and researching the use of a web-based, touch-screen, self-service computer kiosk or tablet to (a) provide adequate history to the provider, (b) provide feedback and information to the patient, and (c) enable the sharing of patient record (in a future expansion to the project). Doctors and patients will be surveyed to assess the systems impact on doctor-patient interactions. Staff surveys will investigate the impact of the system on human error, paperwork reduction, and administrative costs. Data from the surveys will be statistically analyzed to determine the effect of the system on the listed outcomes.

Effective color coding of menu design for movie genres

As an investigation of top-down visual information coding [Palmer 1975], this research intends to study the affective association between certain colors and different media content (i.e., movie genres). This study also investigated the effect of color rendering styles in menu design; exploring which color coding style would be more aesthetically pleasing and easy to use through both objective and subjective evaluation.

Visual communication for the masses

Visual communication is vitally important to a variety of disciplines. Generally, information is communicated in a way that is deemed appropriate for the discipline, governed by established rules based on prior research. However when communicating to general audiences en masse, it is imperative that information be presented as simply as possible-the rules governing specialized scientific communication may or may not be applicable. In short, accessing information should be straightforward, allowing the users to efficiently gain the knowledge for which they are searching. The visual content that is presented should be clear, concise and accurate. With this in mind, this paper discusses issues related to delivering spatially-oriented data to the general populace. Communication through computer graphics should be for the masses as much as it is for individual disciplines. As such, the first half of this paper examines issues related to visual communication for the mass population, while the later half examines one such resource being used for visualization and communication at Purdue University.

Creating a Web-based Virtual Tour at Purdue University.

IN THE SUMMER OF 1998, the Department of Computer Graphics began developing a Web-based informational and marketing resource for individuals interested in attending and visiting Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus. The result is an interactive campus map that provides information about the various campus buildings using text, photographs, and VR movie clips. It also provides the ability to search for specific buildings and locations and an on-line guided tour. The site allows the user to navigate the campus using a unique, vector-based graphical user interface. The completed interactive map, titledThe Purdue University Virtual Visit, became available in August of 1998 (http://www.tech.purdue.edu/resources/map/). This contribution will discuss the planning, development, and implementation of the site and the related technologies that were used.