Technology in Teaching

Project Title

Promoting Active Learning through Just-in-time-teaching and Peer Interaction

Project Leader

Prof Rudolf Fleischer

School / Dept

SENG / COMP

Project Duration

Aug 2002 - Jun 2004

Project Description

Students always have to learn information in class by rote and then regurgitate it in the examination. This project planned to use teaching methods which encouraged students to learn actively and deeply. Instead of going through course materials in class, students worked on their own. Class time was used to engage them in active learning by requiring students to study materials in groups in advance, which they then had to post questions on the web, spending class time to address the questions posted and running the quiz in class and having students responded using PRS handsets.

Project Outcome

A web-based course support system for COMP272 was implemented, built on top of WebCT. This enabled a more smoothly implementation of the Just-in-time Teaching paradigm which fostered active and deep learning among the students.The system could also be used for other courses.

Status

Completed

Project Documents
(Only accessible by HKUST users)

• Project Plan
• Progress Report: First | Second | Third |
• Final Report

Adaptation

Full Project

Project Title

Using the Internet and Wireless Technologies to Achieve Interactive Delivery of Lectures

Project Leader

Prof Gary Chan

School / Dept

SENG / COMP

Project Duration

Sep 2002 - Dec 2004

Project Description

Traditionally, students interact with instructors in classroom lectures. Yet it is not convenient or cost-effective for those students who are working, have access/mobility difficulties, live in a remote area, or experience social isolation such as during the SARS outbreak. With the popularity of broadband Internet connection and wireless medium (Wi-Fi and 3G), a platform for interactive online lectures was developed. This project, "Cyberclassroom," offered a similar experience to traditional teaching but with students connected through the Internet. They may raise questions to their instructors anywhere, anytime using their PCs or laptops over the Internet or wireless medium. Real-time videos, audios and whiteboards were also streamed to the end users. The system was scalable to hundreds of students and made use of current off-the-shelf computing products and state-of-the-art networking techniques. It was cost-effective, breaking geographical limitation in attending lectures. Initial feedback from students using the system was positive and encouraging.

Project Outcome

• A system termed “Cyberclassroom” for large-scale delivery for multimedia stream was developed, so that students distributed in the Internet may attend lecture interactively with the instructor and their peers.
• A paper entitled “ Island Multicast” was presented at the IEEE (i.e. Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineering) ICC (International Communication Conference)  on 20-24 Jun 03. Island Multicast is a tool for global delivery of multimedia streams to a large number (~1000) of users in a scalable manner.
• A paper entitled “ Cyberclassroom: a large-scale interactive distance-learning platform” was presented at the Teaching and Learning Symposium organized by CELT in May 04.
• Island Multicast was adopted to support the Cyberclassroom project.

Status

Completed

Project Documents
(Only accessible by HKUST users)

• Project Plan
• Progress Report: First | Second | Third |
• Final Report

Adaptation

Full Project

Project Title

Enhancing Learning through Online Audio Communication

Project Leader

Prof David Rossiter

School / Dept

SENG / COMP

Project Duration

Sept 2002 - Jun 2003

Project Description

Internet technology now allows communication to move beyond text. What may serve Internet based teaching better is to support communication through non-textual formats. Bearing this in mind, this project developed a tool supporting Internet-based audio communication. The GONG system (http://www.cs.ust.hk/gong/) being accessible by students and instructors, supported both real-time communication and immediate access to the full history of recorded communications, extendable with further recordings at any point in time. GONG was especially useful for language learning since it provided students the chance to practice language in an easy environment e.g. at home at their own pace. But it also had potential use for an online course where learners were working from different locations.

Project Outcome

• Development of the Gong system by releasing an initial version, and then building additional features and fixing bugs through a series of improvements, all released through the Internet: Versions 1.0.0, 1.0.1, 1.1.0, 1.2.0, 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.3.0, 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3.
• Main features of the developed Gong system: i) Text/audio board inside a browser; ii) groups of people can talk to each other with text and/or audio chat; and iii) a web-based administration module provides ease in managing the system.
• Working with CL3, Language Center, and the Computer Science Department to try out the Gong software in real-world environments.
• Forthcoming - extension of the Gong system by 10 Final Year Project students from the Computer Science Department.

Status

Completed

Project Documents
(Only accessible by HKUST users)

• Project Plan
• Final Report

Adaptation

Full Project

Project Title

Development of the Visualization and Simulation Models in Material Technology and Failures Related Courses

Project Leader

Prof Jang-Kyo Kim & Prof T Y Zhang

School / Dept

SENG/ MECH

Project Duration

Jan 2004 - Dec 2004

Project Description

The project aimed to stimulate students’ self-learning ability instead of being spoon-fed. By using videos and animations, they would understand the subject and its industrial applications better. By viewing the multimedia on the Internet, students could enjoy learning the material at home or anywhere. The use of a discussion forum facilitated the collection of students’ commonly encountered questions, so that instructors could spend more time on explaining them.

Project Outcome

• Development and refinement of seven animations as originally planned.

• Production and refinement of four videos.

• Applications of the visualization and simulation models in the course offered in Fall 2004, MECH242  Engineering Materials II.

Status

Completed

Project Documents
(Only accessible by HKUST users)

• Project Plan
• Final Report

Adaptation

Full Project

Project Title

Developing Visual Tools for Crystal Structures and Reciprocal Lattice

Project Leader

Prof Yang Leng

School / Dept

SENG / MECH

Project Duration

Jan 2004 - Jun 2005

Project Description

Teaching crystal structures is always challenging. Students find it difficult to visualize 3D atomic arrangements by studying 2D diagrams. It is also hard to picture the reciprocal lattice space of a crystal structure, which is essential in grasping electron diffraction patterns.The best answer is to devise a computer assisted tool which allows students to view 3D crystal structures in cyberspace. The project aimed to develop visual tools of 3D crystal structures and reciprocal lattices in cyberspace. Two groups of tools were developed, one for crystal structures showing specific 3D configuration and the other for reciprocal lattices generating certain crystallographic orientation image of a specific crystal structure and parameters input by users.It was hoped that visual aids of these 3D crystal structures and reciprocal lattices would increase students’ understanding of the subject.

Project Outcome

• Developed software of 3D models of calcium phosphate crystal structures.

• Developed software of 3D models of crystallographic planes of metallic crystals.

• Developed software of reciprocal lattices of crystal structures.

Status

Completed

Project Documents
(Only accessible by HKUST users)

• Project Plan
• Progress Report: First | Second |
• Final Report
• Project-Cend Review by Project Leader

Adaptation

Full Project

Project Title

Web-based Interactive Tool for Visualization of Structural Analysis with Finite Element Simulation

Project Leader

Prof Ricky Lee

School / Dept

SENG / MECH

Project Duration

Jan 2005 - Dec 2005

Project Description

The original project generated some finite element based visualization and simulation for structural analysis. The products of this project were a set of animation files in AVI format. However, and the users needed to acquire the AVI files first and then played them in a sequential mode for presentation. The proposed project was an adaptation to the previous by developing a web-based interactive tool. This interactive tool served as an interface between the end users and the products of the original project. The main features included a pull-down menu, index search, multi-frame animation, and online tutorials/rating/feedback. The major objective of this project was to faster students’ self-learning.

Project Outcome

• The major outcome of the present project was a HTML-based source code that has the features of tabling contents, schematic annotations, rendering of animations, on-line rating and feedback.

• During the project period, the following deliverables were implemented: developing a web-based interactive tool for the intended functions, incorporating all functions into a course website, releasing the draft version of the web tool to MECH101 students for the trial run, improving the web page layout based on the feedback from the trial run, releasing the final version of the web tool to CIVL231 students for evaluation and conducting the final survey and summarize the statistics.

Status

Completed

Project Documents
(Only accessible by HKUST users)

• Project Plan
• Final Report

Adaptation

Adaptation from 3D Visualization and Simulation of Structures using Finite Element Analysis for Teaching

Project Title

Multimedia Teaching Development for Introductory Physics Courses

Project Leader

Prof K K Fung

School / Dept

SSCI / PHYS

Project Duration

Sept 2004 - Aug 2005

Project Description

In the learning of many physical courses, students often foundd difficulties in visualizing various abstract concepts and understanding different physics ideas. Computer animations, video demonstrations and other multimedia teaching aids were able to present geometrical and dynamical concepts in a clear and lively way. They overcame the hurdles of students learning these concepts, thus helping the students to have a deeper understanding of the principles, and maintaining a high interest of the students on the subject. The aim of this project was to illustrate and explain complicated physics concepts and through the use of a web-based database to enhance effective teaching in physics courses.

Project Outcome

• PHYS011: a) A quiz bank in WebCT platform for pre-lecture online quizzes; b) 59 active figures and 56 movies from publisher were adapted to the course website; c) 3 video demonstrations on elevator forces, friction and contact area and conservation of angular momentum; d) 2 animations on centre of mass and simple harmonic motion; and e) 11 assignment solutions with hints and annotations for further explanations.

• PHYS013: a) A quiz bank in WebCT platform for pre-lecture online quizzes; b)57 active figures and 22 movies from publisher were adapted to the course website; c) 1 video demonstration on Mechanical Analogue for Resistance; d)1 animation on Mechanical Analogue for Resistance; and e) 11 assignment solutions with hints and annotations for further explanations.

Status

Completed

Project Documents
(Only accessible by HKUST users)

• Project Plan
• Final Report

Adaptation

Full Project

Project Title

Scanning Electron Microscopy for Materials Science via the Internet

Project Leader

Prof Ning Wang & Prof K K Fung

School / Dept

SSCI / PHYS

Project Duration

Feb 2004 - Dec 2004

Project Description

In this project, an interactive interface was developed which enhanced the teaching and learning of electron microscopy in material science.  Using the online SEM, instructors could demonstrate using the microscope in real time via an Internet connection in a classroom.  Students could perform experiments with the instrument through the same channel after class too.  This led to improvements in their learning efficiency.  Since the operation of an SEM required considerable resources, an interactive virtual SEM was a useful substitute.  SEM images and spectra was collected in this project to build a database for demonstrations in material science classes using the virtual SEM.

Project Outcome

• Collected all necessary data such as available software/ program and the codes/ function that  controls the SEM through the internet

• Used Flash communication server to control the SEM video transmission and SEM workstation control system

• Data and video capture devices are operated separately by two PCs

• Created RS232 PC/ SEM interface to control the SEM

• Developed the web-based interactive interface for the online SEM

• The internet SEM has been placed in the E-Class website (http://jsp.phys.ust.hk/jsp/index.jsp) for a PG course of PHYS 582

• Fine-tune Flash communication server to control the SEM video transmission and SEM workstation control system

• Fine-tune the web-based interactive interface for the online control SEM

• Incorporation of all functions of the online SEM into the existing course website Phys250-E-Class System

• Relocation of the SEM from 4/F to 2/F and reinstall and setup the online SEM.

• Test and use the SEM via the internet for a UG course Phys250 fall semester 2004 as class demonstration and experiment.

• Development of interactive interface for online experiment;

• Development of new http version of the online SEM

• Development of a stand-alone version of the SEM version

• Finalize the software

Status

Completed

Project Documents
(Only accessible by HKUST users)

• Project Plan
• Final Report

Adaptation

Full Project

Project Title

Multimedia Teaching Development for Physics Course

Project Leader

Prof T K NG

School / Dept

SSCI / PHYS

Project Duration

Sept 2002 - Dec 2004

Project Description

Students often have difficulties in visualizing various abstract concepts when learning topics such as 3D geometry, wavevector space, and topics involving complicated time dependence in a series of events. Computer animations and other teaching aids can present geometrical and dynamical concepts clearly and in a lively manner. They arouse students’ interests in the subject, help them in visualizing complex concepts and thus develop a deeper understanding of underlying physics principles. The animations were developed for the Introduction to Astrophysics and Astronomy course and were used in Spring 2004. Animations and other multimedia teaching tools were also be used in other physics courses (for example, PHYS121) to arouse students’ interest and prompted them to learn the subject with greater depth. Videos and a quiz bank were implemented in the course on the WebCT platform.

Project Outcome

• PHYS007 (both Spring and Fall): A comprehensive animation on relativistic effects

• PHYS002 (Spring 04): Three animations on (1) celestial sphere (2) neutron star (3) gravitational wave of binary pulsars

• PHYS104 (Spring 04): Standardization of teaching materials from course PHYS121 (Fall 03)

• PHYS121 (Fall 04): a) Demonstration videos and quiz question bank in WebCT platform; b) One animation and video demonstration on electricity; and c) A newly produced animation on the microwave oven

• PHYS011 (Fall 04): Four animations and videos on Mechanics

Status

Completed

Project Documents
(Only accessible by HKUST users)

• Project Plan
• Progress Report: First | Second | Third | Forth |
• Final Report

Adaptation

Full Project

Project Title

Modification on the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Project for MSc Program in Material Science

Project Leader

Prof XX Zhang

School / Dept

SSCI / PHYS

Project Duration

Nov 2004 - Aug 2005

Project Description

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was one of the most important equipment for the experiment course of the MSc program in materials science, yet the SEM was not accessible to all students due to resource limitation. The Internet SEM developed by the Physics Department gave a solution to this problem. This was because the MSc students could do some experiments through the Internet in evenings or weekends. The project proposed to modify the Internet SEM for the MSc program and to upload it to the MSc course website.

Project Outcome

• The internet SEM has been modified and incorporated into the course website of the MSc program in materials science.

• A data base has been built up for the internet SEM in the course website of the MSc program.

• The online experimental interface of the internet SEM for the MSc program has been developed.

• The experimental procedures, data collection and recording, experimental report and grading system were integrated

• An interactive virtual SEM interface which provided multiple accesses to the virtual SEM has been developed.

• All these developments have been completed by Aug. 31, 2005.  A MSc course (MATL515) has used the internet SEM for class demonstration.  Some students also used the internet SEM on a voluntary basis in the spring semester 2005.

Status

Completed

Project Documents
(Only accessible by HKUST users)

• Project Plan
• Final Report

Adaptation

Adaptation from Scanning electron microscopy for material science via the internet