Números Publicados > Volumen y Número

Title- Algorithmic Machines: a Practical Learning Methodology through LittleProc.

Abstract- The learning and comprehension of algorithmic machines usually present a high degree of difficulty for computer engineering students. In order to make it more accessible, a teaching methodology of eminently practical base has been designed, centered on the development of a simple processor, which we called LittleProc. In the paper the characteristics of LittleProc are presented along with their pedagogical motivations. Also the teaching methodology devised and the form it was applied are exposed in a detailed way. The academic results obtained and the evaluation given by the students confirm the viability and suitability of the followed methodology.

Index Terms- algorithmic machines, didactic processors, digital systems.

Title- Adapting the teaching methodology of a cryptography subjet to the recommendations of the European Higher Education Area.

Abstract- This paper summarizes the adaptation to the requirements of the Bologna declaration of 19th June, 1999. In this new European context, it is required not only theoretical concepts, but also a learning methodology where professors have a secondary role and students are the main actors of the learning process. We present a proposal of adaptation for a subject of cryptography, which combines a short theoretical review of basics concepts and a set of practical exercises. These exercises are designed with the aim to achieve a global perspective of developing cryptographic systems. A modular approach was selected in order that every new design required results generated in the previous one. A case study of an implementation of a hash function is presented. This exercise demands some skills related with different subjects of their curricula to develop a fully functional system, focusing the learning on a project-based design.

Index Terms- Education, Cryptography, Learning by competencies, Bologna declaration.

Title- “Oral & Writing Skills” course in Computer Science Bachelor Degree adapted to European Higher Education Area.

Abstract- The current work presents the design of a subject entitled "Oral & Writing Skills" corresponding to the new Computer Science degree adapted to European Higher Education area recommendations. The subject, which will be put into practice for the first time in the 2008/09 academic year, implies an important change of trends in relation to the development of the spectrum of competencies within the content of the degree. Without doubt, the way the new design will be realized in the long term indicates an adaptation to the Spanish curricular initiatives and recommendations, both European and International.

Index Terms- European Higher Education Area, Computer Science Degree, professional competences, general and specific objectives, curricula.

Title- System for the study and knowledge evaluation of application layer protocols.

Abstract- One of the main subjects in computer science and telecommunication degrees is the study of application protocols. The increase in the number and use of Internet services has raised their importance, since new applications which implement them are developed everyday. However, their study is not easy since they are hidden behind the services. In this paper we present a tool to visualize protocol behaviours at the same time the student is using the associate services. The result is an ideal environment to learn the message format and interchange order. Moreover, the tool has a module to evaluate the student progress.

Index Terms- e-learning, knowledge evaluation, laboratory assignments, application layer protocols

Title- Students’ dedication in a cooperative, project-based learning context: measurements, analysis and implications

Abstract- Discovering the effort students devote to their studies is of key importance for an appropriate design of courses and syllabus. Although over the last years many studies have been carried out in this respect, few of them have focused on the more complex cases of cooperative and project-based learning. The main contributions of our work are: (i) the investigation of the connection between students’ work habits and the learning methodologies being used; (ii) the usage of a web application to make easier data gathering and analysis; and (iii) the validation of students-provided data so that better conclusions can be derived.

Index Terms- Cooperative learning, project-based learning, student’s dedication, ECTS credits, work habits and patterns

Title- E-Learning Provision as a Community Demand in Universities: UPNA (A Case Study)

Abstract- Use of e-learning and blended-learning strategies in European universities seems to be currently fuelled by political, social, or economic reasons. However, very often these reasons are not enough to completely captivate teachers and students. This paper tells the role the Centre for Innovation in Higher Education of the Public University of Navarre (Spain) has decided to play within the institution to achieve an effective elearning and blended-learning provision. The key point for the success of the Centre for Innovation in Higher Education case has been the social orientation of its services.

Index Terms- higher education, large scale e-learning provision, e-learning and blended-learning best practices

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Title- Bayesian Student Model based on Learning Styles and Preferences

Abstract- Nowadays, modeling user’s preferences is one of the most challenging tasks in e-learning systems that deal with large volumes of information. The growth of on-line educational resources including encyclopaedias, repositories, etc., has made it crucial to “filter” or “sort” the information shown to the student, so that he/she can make a better use of it. To find out the student’s preferences, a commonly used approach is to implement a decision model that matches some relevant characteristics of the learning resources with the student’s learning style. The rules that compose the decision model are, in general, deterministic by nature and never change over time. In this paper, we propose to use adaptive machine learning algorithms to learn about the student’s preferences over time. First we use all the background knowledge available about a particular student to build an initial decision model based on learning styles. This model can then be fine-tuned with the data generated by the student’s interactions with the system in order to reflect more accurately his/her current preferences.

Index Terms- Learning Styles, E-Learning, Data Mining, Bayesian Model.

Title- Collaborative Learning Models on Distance Scenarios with Learning Design: A Case Study

Abstract- Collaborative learning models are widely used in educational institutions. These models require a high interaction level among students and are mainly oriented towards in-class scenarios. But when collaborative models are deployed in a distant scenario, user expressiveness is significantly reduced thus creating a gap that hinders the effectiveness of this collaboration. A computer-supported model provides a set of tools to compensate for the distant scenario and reduce this gap. This paper presents the issues and solutions derived from the design and deployment of a complex collaborative model in a distant scenario. The course structure was captured using the Learning Design specification, and an architecture based on Virtual Network Computing was used to provide the required collaborative tools. The course was included as part of a regular undergraduate program in three higher educational institutions.

Index Terms- flexibility, IMS LD, collaborative, adaptation, distance learning.

Title- A Case Study Analysis for Group Programming Learning.

Abstract- This paper describes a case study on group programming learning that has as central components the identification of specific demands for such domain and the requirement analysis for collaborative programming learning, using the record of activities and codes developed.

Index Terms- group programming learning, text mining, computer education, and technology for programming

Title- Development and Integration of an Affective Behavior Model into an Intelligent Tutoring System.

Abstract- We have developed an affective behavior model for intelligent tutoring systems that considers the affective and the pedagogical state of the student; and based on both selects the tutorial actions to be presented to the student. The model establishes the affective student state with base on the OCC model by means a dynamic Bayesian network. To select the tutorial action the model uses a dynamic decision network designed with base on the opinions of knowledgeable teachers. The results of a pilot study show that the actions selected by the tutor are in general in agreement with the students’ expectations.

Index Terms- Intelligent tutoring system, affective behavior model, affective tutor, Bayesian networks, dynamic decision networks.