I was beyond excited arriving to Clemson University, SC. I arrived at SC on May 15, (Wednesday) 2013. My advisor Dr. Garnder-McCune picked me up at the airport and took me to breakfast. After I arrived to Clemson, Dr. Garnder-McCune introduced me to a lot of people including Dr. Juan Gilbert and some of his PhD students and Dr. Kyla McMullen. Later that day we had our first meeting in where we discussed the two research projects that we will be working on. Our first project is called WATCH-Workshop of African Americans thinking computationally and historically: Rediscovering and Recreating African American Historical Accounts through Mobile App. This project seeks to investigate how African Americans students' engagement with technology through mobile apps and visitations to South Carolina's African American historical sites can promote learning in history education. The second project is Physical Computing: Video Game and Controller Design. The goal of the project is to design and implement a study of a physical computing summer camp where middle and high school students will design a 2D video game using game maker and an arduino-based game controller.My first task was to create an app inventor tutorial for the WATCH program. On May 17th (Friday) we had our second meeting in where we discussed the process on the tutorial.
I cannot believe a week already pass by! On my weekly meeting with Dr. Garnder-McCune where we discussed the two summer camps and the materials and tutorials that we have to have before June 10th. Dr. Garnder-McCune assigned me to create three tutorials and to revise the WATCH program first tutorial. The three new tutorials I have to create are a logic table, audio/video and resize picture for PC and MAC. During the meeting, Dr. Garnder-McCune gave me a lot of techniques that she uses when she is evaluating a student; she also assigned me a paper to read by the end of the week. Later that week, my roommate Nicole arrived to Clemson University. I was so excited to see her because she is also going to be working with Dr. Garnder-McCune. On Friday afternoon, we discussed the paper as well as giving her an update about the tutorials. During the weekend, I continuing working on the tutorials as well as creating icebreakers for the two summer camps. We will touch bases on May 29th (Wednesday) for the final draft of the tutorials.
During this week, I met with Dr. Gardner-McCune and we discussed the tutorials for the app inventor camp as well as the second project that we will working this summer. She assigned me to create a tutorial for the platform in Game Maker. On Friday we had a meeting with Dr. Gilbert; where he welcomed us to the Clemson and explained his expectations and summer goals. We found out that we will have a poster and an oral presentation by the end of the summer. Later that Friday, we were invented to a get together at Dr. Hodges house. I had an amazing time, we talked about research and I taught my lab mate Shelby how to dance how to dance bachata and salsa. On Monday(June 2nd) we had our first general lab meeting with everyone on from the team
This week prepared for our first week of camp. We added the final details to the tutorial and had a run through of our first day. I was extremely excited for the summer scholar to arrive. To my surprise they were 10 minutes early. My first impression was that they were extremely smart and we underestimated their knowledge and their ability to pick up the material. We first started by introducing the team and giving the students an overview of the program as well as our expectations. After introducing Game Maker, we did an ice-breaker this way the students will feel more confortable with us. We gave the students a pre-survey and began the story telling element and game elements. For this activity we presented Wreck-it Ralph movie trailer. Follow by a mini-activity and a take away this way the students began to identify with the Game Design vocabulary. During the rest of the week the students developed their game ideas and started to code their game.
During our Wednesday section, the students continue on their game design and were introduced to game controller prototype Arduino. The Arduino controller will be program by the students and will have the same functions as a standard controller. The students were very excited and felt challenge programing the Arduino controller. By Friday morning, the students were ready to present their video game and their controller. They had a poster presentation and the HCC faculty and graduate students were invited.
During this week, Dr. Hodges invented the entire lab for a BBQ in this house. I meet Dr. G-McCune there: we talk about potentially coming to Clemson for my PhD and what research projects would we like to do research. Dr. G-McCune was not in town for the first few days of the week she asked me to make sure that all computers connected to App inventor and with the USB. We had our weekly meeting on Friday and we took a look at all my tutorials. During the meeting , she told me that she have spoken with the director of the HCC Lab about me and stated that she wanted me as her PhD student. I was completely surprise and beyond excited. After that she told me that the only thing I have to worry about was to apply and get my GRE and transcripts in on time. I have to say this has been the best news that I have heard in a long time.
During this week we started with our WATCH that is our second camp of the summer. The students arrive on at 9:00 am. We started by introducing the students with the curriculum; Dr. King introduce the class and the main purpose of the creating the mobile application. I will be in instructing the computer science part of the class. The students will learn the basic CS concepts as well as understanding App Inventor. App Inventor is the interface that they will be working on. The students were not as engaged or interested as I was excepting them to be. My prediction is that is really early in the morning. For the second day, Dr. King informed the students that they were going to have a field trip to WoodBurn plantation. The purpose of the trip was for the students to take picture and video to create their historical application. Dr. G-McCune and I had a meeting with Dr. King and Dr. Vargas and discussed the outcome of the trip.
During this week, the students prepare their application layout. They organized all the pictures and videos as well as the information they want the user to know about their application. On Friday, it was my turn to teach the class; I was extremely nervous and my voice was shaking but I let everything go and started teaching them. I started by introducing myself and telling them a little be about my background. Then I followed by introducing them to App Inventor and giving them live demo about the interface. After introducing App inventor, I taught the students the fundamentals of Computer Science by presenting what is an algorithm, why do we use computer science programs and making then understand that computer just follow instructions. After the first lesson, I assigned the students with their first application; they were to create an application that explain what is their favorite place and why? They will use pictures and video. The students were extremely engaged but they had a few issues understanding the App Inventor Interface. Dr. G-McCune and I decided to change the tutorial and made it a bit easier; for the next 2 days we work together and change the curriculum for the student.
During this week, I had two meeting with the WATCH program because we need to add the final touches for our journal publication. It was been really hesitated because at the same time we are preparing for our presentations. I learned so much by just observing and taking notes. The meeting with the professors let me have an idea of how collaborations are done and how the work. Team mines – 7 days for our presentation
This is the final week here in Clemson, SC. During this week we practice our presentation to the PhD students and fellow DREU students. I am so happy because my friend told me I improved so much. I usually get really nervous and forget what I am talking about but they told me is away better. Presentation day was great. Our advisors took us to eat Thailand food and then it was show time. I was really nervous but I look at my friends the whole time I was presenting. After the presentation, my DREU friends and some graduate students when out and ate at Tokyo a Japanese restaurant. Overall, it was an amazing summer, I learned so much and to challenge myself to be a Become an inspired researcher. I thank everyone for this amazing opportunity!