The effect of learning problem-solving methods on learning to program in the BASIC language

This study was designed to compare learning problem-solving methods versus non problem-solving activity (word-processing) on subsequent learning to program in the BASIC language. It also examined a method to provide students with increased knowledge and skills to enable them to learn how to program;A pretest-posttest control group design was used in this experiment with random assignment of subjects to one of three groups. Experiment groups one (deduction group) and two (induction group) first received the pretest and learning problem-solving methods; then group one received deduction instruction while group two received induction instruction, both followed by learning BASIC language programming instruction, taking midterm test one and two, and then the post-test. The control group first received the pretest and wordprocessing instruction, followed by learning BASIC language programming instruction and taking midterm test one and two, and then the post-test;The results indicated that when female students first study problem-solving methods (induction and deduction) they experience a significant increase in BASIC language programming achievement. Likewise, male students who first learn problem solving (induction) experience a significant increase in BASIC language program achievement;The study also showed that female students who first receive problem-solving instruction in induction subsequently learn BASIC language programming significantly better than female students who first receive problem-solving instruction in deduction and subsequently learn BASIC language programming;Further evidence supports that female students in group one and two on BASIC language programming in design and understanding performed significantly better than female students in the control group. In addition, male students who first learn problem solving (induction) perform significantly better than males who first receive non-problem solving instruction prior to learning BASIC language programming in design and understanding;From this study, the researcher concluded the following: (1) students who first learn problem-solving methods, rather than receiving non problem-solving instruction followed by learning BASIC programming, perform significantly better than their counterparts; and (2) female students who learn problem solving (induction) perform significantly higher than female students who learn problem solving (deduction) followed by learning BASIC language programming. Thus, first learning problem-solving skills enhances the ability to learn a programming language

Wind Tunnel Seven-Hole Pressure Probe Calibration

The project studies and performs the calibration of a miniature seven-hole pressure probe designed to be utilized in the new wind tunnel of the Embry-Riddle Research Park. The seven-hole pressure probe is to measure flow angularity, which has better sensivity than conventional five-hole pressure probe. However, the seven-hole probe requires calibration due to manufacturing tolerance and its small dimensions. The seven-hole pressure probe is attached to a rotary table allowing the probe to change its pitch and yaw angle within the wind tunnel test section. Data is gathered from combinations of pitch and yaw angles between -10 to 10 degrees, with a step of 0.5 degree. Data gathered in initial wind tunnel tests were utilized for zero-angle offset correction for both pith and yaw angle. A time-series samples were recorded to determine how long the flow settles once pitch and yaw angle is altered. Calibration was then done with polynomial curve fit on MATLAB. An application of the wind tunnel test will also be performed to validate the calibration coefficients. A multiple 7-hole sensor rake also will be proposed which can be used to efficiently scan a large-scale wind tunnel test section, such as the new low-speed wind tunnel at the research park

Realizing Semantic Virtual Environments with Ontology and Pluggable Procedures

Multi-User Virtual Environment (MUVE) has attracted much attention recently due to the increasing number of users and potential applications. Fig. 1 shows the common components that a MUVE system may provide. Generally speaking, a MUVE refers to a virtual world that allows multiple users to log in concurrently and interact with each othe

The Common Fundamental Plane of X-ray Emissions from Pulsars and Magnetars in Quiescence

Magnetars are a unique class of neutron stars characterized by their incredibly strong magnetic fields. Unlike normal pulsars whose X-ray emission was driven by rotational energy loss, magnetars exhibit distinct X-ray emissions thought to be driven by their strong magnetic fields. Here we present the results of magnetar X-ray spectra analysis in their quiescent state. Most of the spectra of magnetars can be fitted with a model consisting of a power-law and a black body component. We found that the luminosity of the power-law component can be described by a function of black body temperature and its emission radius. The same relation was seen in pulsars whose X-ray emission mechanism is thought to be different. The fact that magnetars and pulsars share a common fundamental plane in the space spanned by non-thermal X-ray luminosity, surface temperature, and the radius of the thermally emitting region indicates that further fundamental information is necessary to gain a complete comprehension of the magnetospheric emissions from these two classes of neutron stars.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure. Submitted to Nature Astronom