Improving Student Learning through the
Use of 3D Simulation Activities and Case
Studies in Multimedia Programming
Co-PI: Christopher Stein, Assistant Professor
Computer Information Systems Department
Co-PI: Jody Culkin, Assistant Professor
Music and Art Department
Borough of Manhattan Community College
The City University of New York
NSF DUE CCLI-0511209
The Grant
Multimedia Programming students at the Borough of Manhattan
Community College have had difficulty learning the concepts and theories
upon which computer applications and digital media are developed, and
then applying these concepts to the process of developing their projects.
Our grant addresses these issues by adapting and implementing
exemplary educational materials and pedagogical strategies to revise the
three core courses of the major.
Goals of Multimedia
Programming Major
• Provide students with an
understanding of the concepts
upon which computer applications
and digital media are developed.
• Help students master practical
skills to complete interactive
applications.
The Grant: Needs
Addressed
• Students have difficulty learning
concepts and theories upon which
computer applications are built.
• Students have difficulty applying
concepts while developing their
projects.
The Grant: Adaptation and
Implementation
• Identify exemplary educational
materials and pedagogical
strategies to revise the three core
courses of the major.
• Multimedia Programming
• Multimedia Networking
• Distributed Multimedia Applications
Multimedia Programming
• Introductory programming class
• Students learn basic programming
concepts and create interactive
applications
Approach Adapted
• Students work in Alice IDE for 6
weeks before transitioning to
ActionScript
• Learn fundamentals of objectoriented programming without syntax
problems
• Apply concepts learned to another
language
Materials Adapted
• JABRWOC -- Java-based
Animation: Building viRtual Worlds
for Object-oriented programming
in Community colleges
• NSF-DUE-0302542, Principal
Investigator: Stephen Cooper, St.
Joseph’s University
Multimedia Networking
• Theory based course
• Students learn
• How digital data is stored
• How digital media are created
• How information is transmitted over a
network
Approach Adapted
• Using Integrated Digital Media
Curriculum, theory and practice
taught in five areas
•
•
•
•
•
digital data
digital imaging
digital audio
digital video
networking
Materials Adapted
• Integrated Digital Media Curriculum
• NSF-DUE-0340969, Principal
Investigator: Yue-Ling Wong, Co-PI
Jennifer Burg, Wake Forest University
Distributed Multimedia
Applications
• Students develop complex
applications
• Students are introduced to
programming in a networked and
multiuser environment.
Approach Adapted
• Case Study method used to tie
concepts to real-world applications
• Adobe Flash Media Server provides
the multiuser environment and
allows students to build on
ActionScript skills
Materials Adapted
• National Center for Case Study
Teaching in Science
• Directors: Clyde Herreid and Nancy
Schiller, both of University at
Buffalo
Additional Grant Activities
• Tutoring program for students to
extend student learning
• Faculty development workshops
ensure integration of the newly
developed courseware into the
teaching practices of the faculty