A MAD Approach to Java Concepts

1. HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

2. A MAD Approach to Java Concepts Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison Leeds Metropolitan University HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

3. Simon HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

4. Mark HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

5. To start off... Do you ever play computer games? On desktop/laptop? On your mobile phone? On public transport? Openly? HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

6. MAD Mobile Application Deployment Java applications for mobile devices Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

7. Restructured Computing Course ?????? Specialised second-year modules Integrated into Project databases software development New shared module UID web development networks Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

8. Drivers • the need to be engaging • students’ familiarity with mobile devices • employment prospects for developers of mobile applications Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

9. Creating mobile applications Teaching computer science and programming in the context of mobile applications provides a motivating framework for students and inspires them to excel due to the practical experience they gain allowing them to develop applications for their own mobile devices (Mahmoud, 2008) Compared to traditional game development, programming mobile games is less complex, which enables students with limited programming experience to create playable mobile games within the scope of a single course (Kurkovsky, 2009) Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

10. What language and Development Environment? Factors to consider: students were already familiar with Java free software to take home? good for teaching programming concepts? range of mobile devices supported? supporting tools in development environment? staff skills? Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

11. Candidates Flash Lite Java ME (Java Platform, Micro Edition)     Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

12. Java ME runs on most major brands including Nokia Samsung Sony Ericsson Blackberry Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

13. Technical Netbeanshas emulator and Game Designer Eclipse has emulator Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) On top Together provide complete Java Application environment for mobile phones. Base configuration Connected Limited Device Configuration (CDLC) for small mobile devices Possible Development Environments Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

14. Emulator on a desktop Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

15. Teaching and Learning Lectures, supervised labs, formative practical exercises, independent working Two-stage assessment, first part “threshold” Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

16. Feedback From the module team: • attendance and engagement better • all (95) who engaged passed • about 20% used the Threshold Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

17. Feedback Standard Module Evaluation questionnaire: Questions on quality of teaching, learning materials, assessment nearly all graded 1 (excellent) or 2 (very good) Open-ended questions – what was good, and what could be improved? Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

18. Feedback module was really enjoyable and developed my understanding of java very good overall! thanks Programming is not a subject I particularly enjoy but this module was taught in a way which allowed me to both enjoy and understand what I was doing. I have gained more understanding from this form of programming than I have from any other. Great module and well taught. Really enjoyed the module. Not a big fan of programming but got me sucked in and couldn’t stop. Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

19. Feedback Additional questionnaire: 20 volunteer students How has your understanding of [a Java concept e.g. Interfaces] improved on a scale of 0-5? Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

20. Feedback Additional questionnaire: Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

21. Feedback Additional questionnaire: Has studying the module influenced your choice of future studies in any way? Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

22. Feedback - negative I'm no good at programming Programming not my niche - won't be studying further Too difficult and not a subject that interests me much Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

23. and positive Module enjoyable liked to have progressed more I've decided to pursue software development Module has motivated me to do more programming Improved my java skills - might consider being a programmer Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

24. Other games HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

25. Game implemented HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

26. And another student HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

27. Conclusions and further work Results of this first run were pleasing Students encouraged to base final-year projects on their work May offer the module at post-graduate level Simon Sharpe, Mark Dixon and Gill Harrison HE Academy ICS Conference 2010

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