Web 2.0 Assignments
Web 2.0 assignments are assignments that are completed on a blog or wiki and require an Information Literacy Component.
Computer Science
Duality
In computer science, algorithms are sometimes attributed to a person, place or occurrence. Topics here have a duality to them. One part is the actual algorithm and the second part requires the student to research the legend, person or place that is contained in the name.
The Sieve of Eratosthenes
What is the Sieve of Eratosthenes and what is it used for? Who was Eratosthenes? Was he real? If so, what else was he noted for? Provide either a program or pseudo-code keeping in mind proper referencing and citations.
Applicable Course(s): Any programming course.
The Towers Of Hanoi
What are The Towers of Hanoi and the legend surrounding them? In terms of a computer science, what do you feel is the importance of the Towers? Namely, what topic does the Towers of Hanoi program stress? Provide either pseudo-code or actual program remembering that if taken from a source, proper referencing and citations are required.
Applicable Course(s): Any programming course.
Software Engineering.
Programs developed by two or more students.
Web CGI project.
No IL component at this time.
Applicable Course(s): Above CS II.
Mathematics
Terms, Tangential Topics, Additional Examples.
Often in courses, there are certain terms connected with the course material that maybe outside the syllabus. Tangential topics add depth to a course and are readily researched. Additional examples, applications and special cases often appear as footnotes in textbooks and are perfect for Web 2.0 assignments. By assigning different topics to different students, all students can benefit from the material while allowing them to devote time to the coursework. Providing a mechanism that will encourage the student to read all the posts is desired.
Four Color Map Problem
It was once conjectured that any simple map could be colored with only four colors so that no two colors touch.
Was the conjecture proved? If so, how was it proved? Gve a brief description along with the proper references and citations.
Applicable Course(s): Multivariable Calculus or General Liberal Arts Survey Mathematics course.
Hidden Line Algorithm For Three Dimensional Graphing
When graphing a three dimensional figure on a plane (piece of paper), there is always the question of which points in the back of the surface are hidden by points in the front. Discuss how Hidden Line Algorithms are used today along with some applications of three dimensional renderings.
Unequal Mixed Partial Derivatives
According to the text, in order for mixed partial derivatives to be equal, fxy = fyx, the mixed partials must be continuous. Are there functions where the mixed partials are not equal?
Applicable Course(s): Multivariable Calculus course.
History Of Mathematics
Was there an Euler, or is it just the name of a method? Is Venn more than a rectangle with circles? Often what is lost in mathematics courses is the humanity. Mathematics becomes a series of sterile equations on a blackboard when if fact, nothing is further from the truth. By assigning different mathematicians or scientists for students to research, insights into the lives of these historical figures add depth to the course. These assignments work especially well in the General Education Mathematics courses where many students enjoy writing and researching. These assignments provide a realism to the subject that is often lost on GLA students. It is important to present the assignment in a manner that forces a change in the voice of the writer. It is desireable to provide a motivation to encourage the students to read all the posts.
Dead Mathematicians Hall Of Fame
You have been contacted by the Dead Mathematicians Hall of Fame. They have informed you that your long-lost great relative has been chosen for induction into the Hall, and you must represent them at the awards show. Your job is to write a dynamite acceptance speech in their place, including background, greatest achievements, people you need to thank for their contributions to your work, and any other information that will make your relative sound impressive. The speech must contain proper MLA citations and references formats and be about 1 minute long if read aloud.
Applicable Course(s): Any Mathematics Course
The Grateful Dead Scientists: Battle of The Minds
This is a multi-part assignment. Any scientists, historical figures can be used. By requiring the students to read the other posts, they share leaning and learn from each other.
Part 1
Congratulations, you have been teamed with one of these great scientists:
- Newton
- LaGrange
- Euler
- Gauss
in the The Grateful Dead Scientists: Battle Of The Minds reality television show. The first phase of the show requires a resume / vitae of the scientist but since they are dead, you will have to write their resume for them. Your job will be to post on this blog, a short resume in narrative form (about 1 - 2 minutes if read out loud) highlighting the life and works of the scientist assigned to you. Your speech must be referenced according to MLA standards and must contain at least three references with at least two of which must be from:
Part 2
We now enter phase 2 of our contest. Those that are out of phase (did not complete part 1), are eliminated from further competition and are therefore deprived of gaining any more points. You have been granted an opportunity to take one course with one of our Grateful Dead Scientists. Since the scientists are dead, they cannot determine what topics are to be taught. Your job will be to determine what works (maximum of 3) the scientist is noted for, what will be included the course and why you want this scientist to teach these topics. Parameters:
- You cannot choose your scientist team member as the instructor.
- Information as to the topics you wish to be taught must come from other blog postings. You must cite the blog using the permalink (See below) and following MLA style .
- Should you wish, you may also use the citations contained on the blog. Be sure to state which blog you used as a reference for the citation.
Part 3
Time To Register
In this task, you must now register for a distance learning course taught by one of our Grateful Dead Scientists. Unfortunately, the course you designed is closed. To maintain your full-time status in this game, you must registered by the specified date. To register, you must post a comment on the course you like and provide a brief statement as to why you choose this course. Remember, you cannot register for your own course!
Applicable Course(s): Any Mathematics / Science Course
Mathematics Logic
In courses that cover or have a Boolean logic component, the students learn about Boolean operators, their relationships and properties in an abstract setting. Library research databases use the Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT). Librarians and other researchers use the databases and the logic to generate effective and concise searches (queries in the database world). My objective was to tie the abstract syntax and mathematical properties of the Boolean operators as taught in the mathematics course to the real world application of the same operators as applied to various information databases, and incorporate key components of Information Literacy. This allows the students to apply the theory in practice. Assignments can be crafted so that students experimentally determine key relationships. This provides a valuable skill that is applied not only in composition courses but provides advanced research techniques that will enhance the students' education.
Simple and Compound Statements
The purpose of this assignment is to:
- Exhibit the difference between and and or and use not as applied to a database.
- Formulate queries in both symbolic logic form and general database syntax.
- Introduce the idea of identifying keywords and assigning of variables.
- Introduce the concept of literal strings.
- The Information Literacy session should stress the difference in the variable assignment used in class (see Variable Assignment below) versus using the literal string (phrase) syntax of the actual database
- Exhibit the difference is searching for a string versus the typed words.
- Introduce particular database syntax.
Simple and Compound Statement Assignment
http://www.matcmp.sunynassau.edu/~glassr/rss/mat101/assignment1.htm
Precedence of Operators
- Exhibit the use of parenthesis.
- Show that databases have a precedence of and and or.
- Introduce the idea of identifying keywords and assigning of variables.
- Introduce the concept of literal strings.
- The Information Literacy session should stress the difference in the queries
- Connect logical operators to Venn diagrams and set operators.
Precedence of Operators Assignment
http://www.matcmp.sunynassau.edu/~glassr/rss/mat101/assignment2.htm
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