Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions
Conference Track: Engineering
Education
Selection1:
Paper
Language:
English
Keywords:
education, cellphone, pda, embedded, microprocessor
Contact Title:
Dr.
Contact First Name: Michael
Contact Last Name: Van
Hilst
University:
Florida Atlantic University
Web:
www.cse.fau.edu/~mike
Position:
Country:
United States
Email:
mike@cse.fau.edu
Paper Title:
Cell Phones as Tools for Teaching Computer Science
Abstract:
In this paper we propose the use of .Net and Java-enabled cell
phones and PDAs as teaching tools and target platforms for teaching
computer science. We find the
advantages numerous and compelling.
Cell phones and PDAs are less expensive than PCs.
Many students may already have one.
For working students, the devices support load-and-go course
material they can access anytime and anywhere, including short breaks.
With networked access, students can use them to collaborate in groups even
while not physically in the same place, and to send instant-message
inquiries to the instructor and each other.
As a target platform for applications, students can show their work
to friends and family, and can use the applications they create in their
daily lives. Finally, with so
much of our software being developed in far-away places, cell phone
applications present significant economic opportunities for local content
and other micro-market applications, especially in developing countries.
Some schools already use PDAs for load-and-go courseware, and in
the teaching of courses such as microprocessors, data structures,
introductory programming, networking, and embedded systems.
As the capabilities of everyday cell phones grow, we expect that
they will become viable in much the same way.
In this paper we discuss the advantages and opportunities in
greater detail, describe some of the courses currently being taught on
PDAs, describe the use of cell phones as remote clients for web and
Linux-based applications, and discuss development tools and their use by
students and instructors.
Mailing Address:
Dr. Michael Van Hilst
Florida Atlantic University
Liberal Arts Bldg, Room 322
Davie, Florida 33314
Phone:
Authors:
Michael VanHilst / mike@cse.fau.edu / Florida Atlantic University /(P)
Martin Griss / griss@oe.ucsc.edu /
University of California at Santa Cruz