Developing Active Learning Activities for Computer Programming and Machine Vision Courses

Abstract

This is a report about a continuing project for developing instructional technologies andmaterials for in- and outside- of-classroom activities to promote student learning. In-class activitiesincluded student-teacher interactions mediated via NetSupport Manager, student hypermedia notetakingvia Silicon Chalk, algorithms development and quizzes correction using a Tablet PC. Outsideof-class activities included reviewing narrated Flash movies for homework solution design hints andfor pre-recorded narrated guidance during phases of a semester project using robots equipped withMachine Vision capability. This facility had been used to teach Java Programming, SystemsSimulation and Applied Machine Vision courses with overall favorable assessments from students.Student feedback and instructor assessments regarding the effectiveness of technologies used arereported herein. Particular student assessments regarding Tablet PC effectiveness and value of therobot projects are also presented.