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Abstract - SPEC-Education

SPEC-Education.1	A Different First Course in Electrical Engineering D. Johnson, J. Wise, Jr. (Rice University, USA) Traditional introductory courses in electrical engineering are typically circuit theory courses, and may include both analog and digital hardware and possibly software. Recent alternatives have focused on how to teach (using discrete-time signals rather than analog) than on what to teach. We have developed a top-down course sequence that uses as its underlying principle the transmission and manipulation of information. Students are given a broad perspective of both analog and digital approaches, with a goal of helping students appreciate electrical and computer engineering and framing a context for their advanced courses. Laboratories stress construction of analog systems and analysis with signal processing tools.
SPEC-Education.2	Integrating Engineering Design, Signal Processing, and Community Service in the EPICS Program L. Jamieson, E. Coyle, M. Harper, E. Delp (Purdue University, USA) One of the most challenging problems in engineering - and signal processing - education is providing realistic and meaningful design experience. In the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) program, teams of engineering undergraduates earn academic credit for multi-year projects that solve technology-based problems for community organizations. Key features of EPICS include the long-term nature of the projects; the emphasis on "real-world" start-to-finish design; the learning experience embodied in solving ambitious engineering problems; the vertical, multidisciplinary teams; the development of teamwork and communication skills; and the use of engineering to help the community. We describe the EPICS program and highlight three EPICS signal processing projects: a real-time system to measure speaking rate for Purdue's speech clinic; voice-controlled interactive software to encourage speech in developmentally delayed children; and an image and video archiving system for the Tippecanoe County Historical Association. Full program and project descriptions are at www.ecn.purdue.edu/epics.
SPEC-Education.3	An Interactive Learning Environment for Adaptive Systems J. Principe, N. Euliano (University of Florida, USA); C. Lefebvre (Neurodimension, USA) We developed a new computer based learning environment to teach adaptive systems to EE undergraduate students. The electronic book is composed of an hypertext document linked with a software simulator which runs examples on-line, and is fully controlled by the student.
SPEC-Education.4	Interactive DSP Education Using Java Y. Cheneval, L. Balmelli, P. Prandoni (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland); J. Kovacevic (Bell Labs, Lucent Technologies, USA); M. Vetterli (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland) In this paper, we argue that Java is a natural language to develop interactive teaching material that can be shared and distributed widely. Unlike any other programming language or platform we know, Java development is justified because of its almost universal acceptance. We develop a Block Diagram (BD) based approach that allows to develop interactive and downloadable signal processing laboratories. As an example, we show how specific experiments for a DSP class, as well as for an advanced course on wavelets have been developed. The article first explains why the Java language has been chosen, and then describes what has been realized today. Finally, we show how the BD representation can be efficiently used for the development of a wavelet theory course. It is shown that only a few simple blocks are sufficient for creating many didactic programs. This can be seen as an a posteriori justification of the BD model.
SPEC-Education.5	Multi-Platform CBI Tools Using Linux and Java-Based Solutions for Distance Learning E. Patterson (Clemson University, USA); D. Wu (Sony Corporation, USA); J. Gowdy (Clemson University, USA) This paper presents a set of software tools developed to enhance local and distance learning for speech and signal processing classes. The multi-platform paradigm is stressed in both computer-based instruction (CBI) and World Wide Web (WWW), Java-based tools. The CBI speech tools are a package developed to enhance a graduate course in digital speech processing; the tools may be run on various platforms and will benefit local or distance learners taking the course via teleconferencing. Students may gain "hands-on" experience using this package on their own personal computer (PC) or a university computer. The WWW, Java-based tools have been designed to be used for interactive homework in signal processing classes but also have a wide range of applicability. JavaGram is the name for the currently developed application that allows students to easily "turn-in" homework diagrams, such as signal-flow charts, via the WWW. This is an improvement over past systems that use only forms in WWW homework for remote classes. These tools have been found to greatly enhance local and remote offerings of a course on speech signal processing.

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