Sarah Kuhn

Music performamatics: interdisciplinary interaction

This paper describes how a graphical user interface (GUI) programming course offered by the Dept. of Computer Science (CS) was paired with a general teaching methods course offered by the Dept. of Music in an attempt to revitalize undergraduate CS education and to enrich the experiences of both sets of students. The paper provides details on the joint project done in these classes and the evaluation that assessed its effect on the curriculum, students, and professors.

Computing in context: integrating an embedded computing project into a course on ethical and societal issues

A hands-on embedded computing project is introduced into an undergraduate social sciences course. In the pilot module, nine student teams created working prototypes, using the technology to address social, ecological and ethical issues. The teams included freshman to senior level computer science majors, other technical majors, and non-technical students. Most students became highly engaged in the activity, developed exciting ideas, and reported improved learning in the social sciences.

What makes Dick and Jane run?: examining the retention of women and men in the software and internet industry

Project TechForce is a study of the attraction, promotion, and retention of women in the software and Internet industry. Drawing on preliminary findings from a web-based survey of 1,690 employees in the industry, this paper examines men and womens plans to remain in the industry long-term. The key factors named by respondents that would play an important role in shaping retention in the industry are identified, including pay, hours of work in a typical workweek, and the intrinsic nature of the work. This preliminary analysis will be further analyzed, in addition to drawing on 200 in-depth interviews with men and women in software and Internet workplaces, to gain a richer understanding of the factors shaping the participation of men and women in the industry.

Thinking with Things, Teaching with Things: Enhancing Student Learning in Qualitative Research through Reflective Use of Tools and Materials

In this article, two experienced QR instructors argue that reflective attention to the tools and materials used by researchers and instructors can help to enhance student learning. Identifying three sorts of things in QR those on which research is conducted (texts, images, etc.); the technologies used by the researcher, from software to notebooks; and the objects of the culture under study the authors discuss three examples of their use of things in the context of QR. A detailed case discussion based on the authors’ experience with flip chart paper, NVivo software and Tinkertoy concept maps reveals some of the benefits of attention to things. Based on their analysis, the authors conclude that there are four ways in which a focus on things can support learning and teaching: by scaffolding student understanding, by providing transparency in the learning and research process, by representing and supporting multiple views and perspectives, and by promoting reflexivity and reflection.

Identifying Technology Gaps in Hazardous Materials Operations

Our eventual goal is to design new decision support technologies to enhance understanding of fast-paced, uncertain hazardous materials (HAZMAT) response situations. Before developing improved technologies, we need to understand HAZMAT operations in practice as opposed to how it is presented in the manuals. To gain this understanding, we have been interviewing HAZMAT personnel and observing exercises. This paper presents an analysis of the communications that occurred among personnel, primarily in person or via radio, during three HAZMAT exercises (focusing on one day-long exercise in particular). This analysis allowed us to pinpoint problem areas that could potentially be addressed by decision support technologies. We provide our assessment of technology approaches that could aid the more serious problems we saw in our analysis.

An Innovative Idea for Reducing the Musculoskeletal Disorders in Drywall Installation

Objective: The study was conducted to assess an intervention suggested by the workers to reduce the ergonomic exposures of the drywall installation task. Methods: At several focus group meetings the drywall installers were asked to brainstorm on innovative ideas that could reduce their ergonomic/musculoskeletal exposures during the drywall installation work. The workers discussed the idea of using a ‘deadman’ (long narrow piece of sheetrock) to help hold the panels on the ceiling while installing them. The researcher collected quantitative exposure data (PATH, 3DSSPP) at the baseline and intervention phases. The data at the two time periods were compared to find out any change in the exposure with use of the ‘deadman’. Results: Results showed that exposures (such as overhead arm and awkward trunk postures and heavy load handling) were reduced in the intervention phase while using an electrical lift and the ‘deadman’. Conclusion: The concept of the ‘deadman’, which was shown to help reduce musculoskeletal exposures during ceiling installation, can be used to fabricate a permanent ergonomic tool to support the ceiling sheetrock.