Mobile Technology for Teaching Grant - Course Integration
- GIS/GPS at Lexington Community College
Ryan Kelly, LCC Instructor and grant team member, taught a GIS/GPS data collection module in his "GIS 110: Introduction to GIS/GPS" course. Students simulated a field data collection project, utilizing Trimble GPS units and Tablet PCs loaded with ArcGIS software for data analysis. Ms. Dowdy also incorporated the Tablet PCs into her “Advanced GIS” course at Lexington Community College. Students were able to compare and contrast GIS platforms between the standard desktop, the Tablet PCs and HP iPAQs loaded with ArcPAD software. They were also exposed to methods for interfacing the devices together by making use of the integrated Bluetooth Technology in the Tablet PCs and the iPAQs as well as setting up ad-hoc networks to communicate with the desktop units.
- GIS in Water Resources
Ms. Dowdy developed this course to meet a need expressed by students to learn Geographic Information Systems and it's (GIS) application to engineering and agriculture. A natural fit with GIS, the Spring 2004 offering of this course utilized the Tablet PCs exclusively. Students not only used the tablets during class time for exercises and labs, but were also allowed to” check-out” equipment for extended periods of time to work on term projects and presentations required by the class. At the end of the semester, the students gave unanimous endorsement of the Tablet PCs – voicing regrets that they had to return the equipment! The only negative comments involved “inconsistent” wireless network coverage which we are addressing, getting used to the stylus and a few GIS software glitches, most of which have now been addressed through software updates. Click on the images below to see a few of the students in action.
Click on one of the following links to see a representative student presentation from the class. Project analyses and presentation preparation were generated using the Tablet PCs.
- Stream Restoration
Drs. Warner and Agouridis have successfully utilized the Tablet PCs in their course "BAE 599-002: Stream Restoration". Students were introduced to the Tablets early in the course, using Journal Writer for notes and Microsoft Excel to determine stream characteristics. The students also met in a casual setting (Dr. Agouridis' home!) to work on team mid-term projects - not your typical classroom! Click on any image below for a better view. - Land and Water Resources
Dr. Steve Workman has integrated his Tablet PC for lecture presentations in his "BAE 437: Land and Water Resources” course. Using Microsoft One Note, Dr. Workman prepared his course notes in advance and presented them using the Tablet's connection to the Smart Classroom projector equipment. Converting his notes into PDF format and posting them online for students to utilize created a classroom atmoshpere where students could concentrate on the material discussed and not on note taking. This methodology translated into a time savings that was utilized in a student field project that applied classroom knowledge in a way that slides could not convey.
- Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning
This undergraduate course was taught on three different campuses via ITV - UK-Lexington; UK-Paducah; and Western Kentucky University. A tablet PC was utilized by Dr. Don Colliver for all PowerPoint presentations (with ink) and during demonstrations of energy modeling tools. - Topics in Advanced Environment Control and Analysis - Energy Efficient Building Modeling and Design
Dr. Colliver's graduate level course was taught to engineering and architecture students. Tablet PCs were used extensively in PowerPoint ink presentations; instructor demonstrations on the use of building energy modeling and simulation programs including: EnergyPlus, eQuest, Trane-Trace700, Comcheck and Energy 10 and by students for running model simulations.
Click on one of the following links to see a representative student presentation from the class. Team analysis and brainstorming sessions used the Tablet PCs.
