Kathleen Neumann

An integratable unit based computer science distance learning curriculum design for the ACM/IEEE curricula 1991

This paper presents the concept of learning units as a vehicle for curriculum design in computer science that is suited for distance learning. Our emergent view of distance learning is based on desktop and Internet technologies. This emergent view of distance learning is neither bound by time nor by place. This is unlike traditional distance learning programs where satellite uplinks and/or videotapes are the primary method of delivery of course lectures. The learning unit based curriculum described here accounts for all of the guidelines and knowledge units set forth in Curricula 1991 of the ACM/IEEE.

Expanding a distributed deductive database with mobile computing

Mobile computing is a component that will be included in many future computing environments. This paper presents a scheme that will allow the addition of a mobile component to an existing distributed deductive database. This scheme allows for the following features: 1) data replication on the mobile unit, 2) transaction logging to log changes both in the mobile users database and in the networks database, 3) concurrency control to prevent both copies from updating the same record, and 4) reconnection procedures to update both copies upon reconnection. To facilitate data replication and reconnection updates, we have established ‘Proxy Nodes’ in the network database to keep track of data of interest to the mobile user.

The design of a programmer's interface for an interactive microcomputer animation tool

A tool to aid in the production of computer generated animation is imperative in the development of graphics applications. With access to an animation tool, the efficiency of the programmer in a microcomputer environment can be greatly increased in regard to programming time and in program complexity. The design of the interface for such a tool must be carefully planned and implemented. The following is an overview of the desirable design features — on-line help, tutorial, function keys, and pull-down menus — that were incorporated into animation tools at Western Illinois University.