This thesis describes research into supporting the creation of engaging learning experiences with programming. A review of relevant research that could contribute to the design of engaging learning experiences informed the construction of four pieces of fieldwork. These fieldwork studies were conducted to explore the framing of learning programming in tasks that motivate and are of value to the learner. Findings resulted in the design of a set of eight Learning Dimensions. These Learning Dimensions are proposed to address three key areas: (1) design and delivery of learning task, (2) rhythm or tempo of the learning experience and (3) practicalities. The Learning Dimensions provide educators with insights to support key design decisions for the creation of engaging programming learning experiences. Finally, a web-based tool was designed to make the Learning Dimensions accessible to educators. This tool has been used to evaluate one further workshop. This thesis consolidates several threads of research into a learner-centred approach to learning to program. The Learning Dimensions identify important areas of decision-making to be considered when designing a learning experience. They support the assertion that factors outwith the content can significantly affect success in programming. The complex interplay between different skills associated with computer programming will remain a challenge to learners. When placed in a rich context that fits the learner well and supports the learning aims, many of these difficulties can be overcome. The Learning Dimensions draw together positive features of a learning experience that are key to ensuring learners have the best possible opportunity to engage with and succeed with computer programming.

Submitted by Evy Augusto Salcedo Torres null (evy.salcedo.torres@ufsc.br) on 2016-10-26T19:01:00Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação_Silvana Fernandes_.pdf: 3895644 bytes, checksum: 2d43d7c9121919a8aa2e5a3f39a70dfc (MD5) Produto_Silvana Fernandes.pdf: 2227652 bytes, checksum: abc621f3e975d39110c58568c1e38539 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-26T19:01:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação_Silvana Fernandes_.pdf: 3895644 bytes, checksum: 2d43d7c9121919a8aa2e5a3f39a70dfc (MD5) Produto_Silvana Fernandes.pdf: 2227652 bytes, checksum: abc621f3e975d39110c58568c1e38539 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-12 / CAPES / Neste trabalho apresenta-se uma Sequência Didática composta por uma série de atividades para abordagem da Física Térmica. O material instrucional está fundamentado na teoria interacionista de Vygotsky e nos Três Momentos Pedagógicos de Delizoicov e Angotti. Na busca de contextualizar os conteúdos utilizou-se o sistema de aquecimento de água por energia solar. Assunto este inserido no tema central escolhido. O que possibilitou a definição de quais os conceitos de Física envolvidos e que deveriam ser tratados nas aulas. Para potencializar esse fato foi idealizado e construído um Coletor Solar Didático com sensores de imersão ligados a uma placa Arduino. Este aparato experimental tem a função de realizar a conexão do tema gerador com os conceitos científicos. A proposta foi implementada em uma escola da rede federal de ensino, no primeiro semestre de 2016. Em relação as conclusões sobre a análise da aplicação, pode-se destacar os bons resultados em função das discussões nas atividades em grupo e também o interesse dos estudantes diante de experimentos que usam tecnologias, como por exemplo o Arduino.

The aim of the diploma thesis was to design a complete controller device with six degrees of freedom for use in computer simulators. After the analysis of current available devices, a model of mechanism was created for production using a 3D printer. Subsequently, electronics and utility software were designed to process received sensor readings. Finally, the finished device was tested in several applications.

This diploma thesis serves as a design and implementation of a hobby CNC milling machine, for the modeling community. The work is conceived as an overview of the most common machining technologies. The following is an introduction to the construction of CNC milling machines and an introduction to the basic components used. Furthermore, the actual design proposals and a description of the implementation of two of them are presented. When designing the machine, emphasis was placed on the lowest possible price and availability of individual components.

This thesis deals with designing and creating working prototype of IoT Wattmeter with option to switching relay. This device can be control remotely with option to read measured values. To reach my goals, I am using open-source designing board, different sensors and modules. I tis possible to communicate with device through Wi-Fi module ESP 8266 and to test LPWAN network I am using SIGFOX, module. To measure current, it´s used simple Hall-effect sensor and all available information’s are displayed on OLED display. To switch the circuit off or on solid state relay was used. In theoretical part of the work, I am trying to explain working principles of every module and source code, which I am using to control these modules. In practical part I created scheme, using CADSoft EAGLE and created functional wattmeter. Whole work is programmed in C++ language using Arduino IDE.

The project consists of controlling a mechanical piston and thermal resistance using an Arduino’s microcontroller. The piston and the thermal resistance take part of an existing project. This project, known as The electronic nose, has the purpose to measure the aroma of different products. In order to achieve this purpose, this tool is a combination of various sensors used to detect gases by generating signals for an analysis system. The project can be divided in different parts; electrical circuit design of piston and thermal resistance, design mechanical parts and components needed, develop a software able to control the piston and the thermal resistance and communication between software. The piston is installed on the bottom part of hollow cylindrical case and the thermal resistance is located inside a cylindrical base. This base, where the sample for smelling is put up, is bound on the top of the piston. Arduino controls the piston up and down movement and the temperature in the sample’s base. On the other hand, the electronic nose is installed at the top of the case. Through its sensors, The electronic nose is able to measure the aroma of some products. The aroma comes from the gases of the sample and they can be detected by the sensors. The purpose of installing the piston in the electronic nose is to get a pulse signal during the measure of these gases. Moreover, is very important keep the temperature of the sample under control, therefore the software is based on a on/off controller. A on/off controller calculates continuously the difference between a desired temperature set point and the temperature measured during process. In order to minimize this difference value the controller turn on or off the resistance during a specific instant time.

Dagens enkortsdatorer skiljer sig mycket i hårdvara. Prestandamässigt skiljer sig dessutom datorerna åt beroende på vilket operativsystem som används samt vilket programmeringsspråk och bibliotek som används för I/O kommunikation. Vi har testat Raspberry Pi 3 och Intel Galileo Gen 2 med operativsystemen Linux och Windows 10 IoT Core. Program för att mäta tidsåtgång vid digitala läsningar, digitala skrivningar, analoga läsningar, uppstart och skrivning till SD-kort har utvecklats. Resultaten från dessa visar stora skillnader mellan systemen och vilket som lämpar sig bäst beroende på tillämpning. Operativsystem, programmeringsspråk och bibliotek har valts med tanke på en övergång från Arduino-system som arbetar i realtid. Tester har därför också utförts på enkortsdatorn Arduino Mega 2560 för att ge en uppfattning om vad en sådan övergång skulle innebära. / The single-board computers of today differ greatly in hardware. Performance-wise the computers also differ depending on what operating system and what programming language with certain libraries that are being used for I/O communication. We have tested Raspberry Pi 3 and Intel Galileo Gen 2 with the operating systems Linux and Windows 10 IoT Core. Programs to measure the time it takes to perform the actions of digital writing, digital reading, analog reading, booting the system and writing to an SD-card have been developed. The results show big difference between the systems and what system to use for what purpose. Operating systems, programming languages and libraries have been chosen with consideration for a transfer from Arduino systems operating in real-time. Tests have also been conducted on the singleboard computer Arduino Mega 2560 to provide an understanding on what such a transfer would entail.

Development of an Open Source Prosthetic Hand Platform Scott Garrett In the field of upper extremity prosthetic devices, advancements in technology drive the design of products which are becoming capable of restoring the lost functions of the native hand. While several dexterous devices have been developed to serve this purpose, they remain prohibitively expensive and thus are not a viable option for many upper extremity amputees. To address this problem a prosthetic hand platform was developed utilizing the open source Arduino microcontroller and off-the-shelf electrical components. Using these resources, a novel finger actuation mechanism was developed to show how a prosthetic hand platform could be developed which is capable of individual finger actuation, multiple actuation modes, sensing of forces at the individual fingers, providing force feedback to the user, and control of finger actuation through a variety of control inputs. After going through several iterations of hand’s mechanical components, electronics, and firmware a final prototype was built to showcase the possible capabilities of the open source prosthetic hand platform. This prototype consisted of several groups of subcomponents including an auto-flexing / extending finger design, a modular palm/ servo attachment base, and a wrist section which housed the hand’s electronic components, power supplies, force feedback system. The open source prosthetic hand platform was then verified using a series of tests to quantify several performance characteristics of the final prototype. Battery life and grip strength during continuous use were evaluated and demonstrated that the hand could provide consistent grip force during up two hours of initial continuous use. Also, the grip performance of the hand was assessed through the grasping of spherical objects with varying surface textures, diameter, and weight. Furthermore the hand was tested in various “real life” applications including manipulating and sorting small objects, opening doors, grasping moderately heavy objects such as water bottles, and sensitive objects such as an egg. Lastly, the platform was connected to a myoelectric input circuit to demonstrate compatibility with advanced electro-physical inputs. These tests demonstrated that the platform was capable of performing some of the dexterous tasks performed by prohibitively expensive available robotic upper extremity prosthetic devices. Further developments could be made to the open source prosthetic hand platform including enhancements to the platform’s finger force sensing and feedback mechanisms, consolidation of the electronics, refinement of the auto-flexing / extending fingers, and integration with a silicone covering and patients residual limb socket. These future iterations of this platform could help provide a dexterous prosthetic hand platform at lower cost to a wider patient base.

Ingeniero Civil Eléctrico / Los accidentes automovilísticos son un grave problema mundial sin solución. La gran cantidad de heridos y muertes como resultado de choques en carretera o ciudad ha ido en aumento año tras año debido a la gran cantidad de viajes que ocurren en todo el mundo. Las estadísticas dicen que el 25\% de la gente involucrada en accidentes podría haberse salvado con una asistencia médica inmediata, es por eso que la empresa Sosmart Labs desarrolló una aplicación para detectar choques y notificar inmediatamente la ubicación y tiempo del suceso a cercanos del pasajero. Esta memoria se enmarca en el proyecto Sosmart Premium de la empresa, que consiste en diseñar y contruir un dispositivo electrónico que se ancle al vehículo y que realice la misma tarea de la aplicación Sosmart, además de implementar el sistema de comunicación y un proceso de post-procesamiento para caracterizar el accidente. El trabajo consistió en el diseño e implementación de un prototipo de dispositivo electrónico a través de la elección de componentes de mercado y fácil uso, en la que se optó por Arduino como controlador, un MPU9250 como sensor de aceleraciones y un FONA 2G como módulo para comunicaciones. Luego, se desarrolló la arquitectura completa implementando una plataforma web para recibir las notificaciones y también un programa de post-procesamiento para limpiar las señales y usando un programa de simulación 3D, recrear el accidente. El dispositivo electrónico posee un algoritmo de detección de choque autónomo que fue diseñado utilizando una base de datos de accidentes de tráfico de Estados Unidos y con ella, se desmostró que las magnitudes de aceleraciones en un choque real, poseen un valor alto que es fácil de detectar utilizando un acelerómetro de alto rango. En este caso, el MPU9250 demostró ser lo suficientemente útil para utilizar el algoritmo y discernir eficazmente de choques reales con falsos positivos. Por otro lado, el proceso notificación funcionó para los 3 canales propuestos: SMS, llamada y POST request a una plataforma web de monitoreo. Finalmente, el post-procesamiento consistió en la aplicación de filtros y zonas de histéresis para atenuar el ruido producto del sensor y con el uso de integraciones, obtener los desplazamientos y ángulos del sensor para simularlos en Unity3D. Concluyendo, se desarrolló un sistema de detección, notificación y simulación de accidenttes, en los que el sistema de detección obtuvo buenos resultados para accidentes de gran magnitud y se aislaron casos de falsos positivos, se creó la plataforma web para monitorear accidentes y en cuanto a la caracterización, el sistema desarrollado permite obtener una idea de la orientación del vehículo previo al accidente, pero no fue posible determinar la trayectoria real de este.

Vid implementering av realtidsapplikationer krävs det att man kan använda hårdvaran på ett deterministiskt vis. En realtidsapplikation ställer stora krav på körtider och hur applikationen schemaläggs. Det är därför av största vikt att kontrollera om de uppfyller dessa krav. I detta examensarbete har tre system för realtidsapplikationer jämförts och en analys av framförallt sina beräkningsförmågor och hur pass deterministiskt de uppför sig gällande körtider har gjorts. Även andra aspekter så som utvecklingsmiljöer för mjukvara, tillbehör och effektförbrukning har jämförts.