Invisible Blackboard
Feasibility Presentation
October 20, 2004
CS 410 Blue Group
Presenter: Patrick Veverka
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Group Members
Brian Blain
Ryan Florin
John Gedville
Jeffrey Jacobs
Valentina Neblitt
Dennis Ray
David Southard
Patrick Veverka
Web Designer
Administrator
Designer
Project Manager/Designer
Research Director
General Manager
Planning Director/Researcher
Web Designer/Presenter
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Presentation Outline
1. Problem
2. Proposed Solution
3. Competitors
4. Goals And Objectives
5. Potential And Target Markets
6. Required Components
7. Technical Issues
8. Market Issues
9. Risk Issues
10. Cost And Resource Issues
11. Conclusion
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Problem Definition:
“Learning a university mathematics curriculum requires
understanding step by step methodology. Long term
retention of information is contingent upon initial
presentation followed by reinforcement and review of the
subject material. “
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Is This A Problem?
“College Algebra is a requirement for most majors and is
currently a stumbling block for many of our students. The
course has a very high non-completion rate and this is a
major obstacle for a significant number of our students.
More than half of these students failed to receive a grade
of C or better which is necessary to move on to the next
math course.”
-Miami-Dade Community College
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Is This A Problem?
“A study conducted by the Math Department in 1992
showed failure rates ranging from 40% to 55%, the worst
being College Algebra.”
-Austin Community College
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Is This A Problem?
“The proportion of students who spent an average of one
year in remediation increased by 7% [from 1995-2000]”
-National Center Of Educational Statistics
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
How Do Math Classes Work Now?
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
How Do Math Classes Work Now?
► Chalkboard/Whiteboard (Non-digital)
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
How Do Math Classes Work Now?
▼ Chalkboard/Whiteboard (Non-digital)
Used for the process driven steps used in math
Requires heavy note-taking to write down steps
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
How Do Math Classes Work Now?
▼ Chalkboard/Whiteboard (Non-digital)
Used for the process driven steps used in math
Requires heavy note-taking to write down steps
► Homework Problems
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
How Do Math Classes Work Now?
▼ Chalkboard/Whiteboard (Non-digital)
Used for the process driven steps used in math
Requires heavy note-taking to write down steps
▼ Homework Problems
Repetition of process on different data
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
How Do Math Classes Work Now?
▼ Chalkboard/Whiteboard (Non-digital)
Used for the process driven steps used in math
Requires heavy note-taking to write down steps
▼ Homework Problems
Repetition of process on different data
► Class Time/Review Time
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
How Do Math Classes Work Now?
▼ Chalkboard/Whiteboard (Non-digital)
Used for the process driven steps used in math
Requires heavy note-taking to write down steps
▼ Homework Problems
Repetition of process on different data
▼ Class Time/Review Time
Repeat process with teacher present
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Why Don’t Math Classes Work Now?
► Must Write Notes
Must pay attention to professor and to notes
Attention is split between written process and verbal
instruction
► Repetition
Repetition can be a positive or negative
Repetition is negative if repeating incorrect steps
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Proposed Solution
Develop a system that will capture the
process by synchronizing the written
material with the verbal instruction being
given by the professor to allow for correct
repetition and reinforcement
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Competitors?
Quartet IdeaShare™ Electronic Board
• Uses a white board
• Captures and stores notes and images
• Does not capture the sound
• Costs nearly $3,000.00
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Solution Characteristics
What Our Solution Will Do:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Capture pen strokes
Record instructor’s voice
Synchronize voice with pen strokes
Distribute for repetition
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Solution Characteristics
What Our Solution Won’t Do:
1. Require use of our solution
2. Prevent technological errors
3. Provide for copyright enforcement
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Solution Goals
1. Provide an easier way for students to capture process
2. Professors will spend more time teaching, less time
repeating
3. Ultimately, students will be more successful
4. Fewer remedial classes
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Solution Objectives
1. Decide on which technology to use
2. Develop synchronization software
3. Develop distribution scheme
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Potential And Target Markets
There are a number of practical locations where a solution such as ours
would be useful. However, as defined in our problem statement, we are
going to focus on University level Mathematics courses.
Our potential market includes all colleges and universities worldwide
that offer a mathematics course. Our target market is more defined
and only includes the more than 1800 public and private four year
colleges in the United States.
- Kiplinger’s College Survey
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Required Components
Distribution Software
Synchronization Software
Pen Recording Device
Voice Recording Device
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Technical Issues
• We are not able to make it work
• Our users cannot operate our solution
• Durability of components
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Management Methods Issues
• Do we have the proper management structure in place?
• How are we communicating?
• Are we organized to complete in the time available?
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Risk Issues
• Will anyone use it?
• How does it compare with current methodologies?
• Is the solution cost effective?
• Will the solution be user friendly?
• Are there any societal changes involved?
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Resource Issues
• Will we be able to procure components?
• Will the components be too costly?
• Do we have the time to finish?
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410
Conclusion
• The required technology exists and is readily available.
• Technology is already prevalent in classrooms.
• The required resources are minimal and can be acquired
in a timely manner.
• The required management structure is in place.
• This project can be completed successfully in the time
available.
Invisible Blackboard – CS 410