Visualizing networked writing activity

In conjunction with the Honors Fellow program and two faculty advisors from both the English and Computer Science departments, another student and I have written software to visualize how participants collaborate on networked writing projects. Using Google Docs as a way to allow students to instantaneously interact with a document in real-time, this software captures data from Google's cloud service and displays it in a pair of visualizations. We used agile methods of software development to devise a way to implement their ideas in an appealing way. This document contains detailed instructions on where the latest iteration of the software can be located. It also details the process of making the system operational on a new machine, stating how the software works and where it should be placed in the file system. The document also explains how one can use the system to visualize writing collaboration. Finally, many failed iterations of the software have led to meaningful reflections on software development practices. The document serves as a technical report for the software, but also elaborates on the hardships of development, as well as provides insight on how this software may evolve toward richer experiences. Also included is an Author's Statement which reveals many of the learning experiences that arose throughout the development of this project.Honors CollegeThesis (B.?.

The South Shore Food Hub : a jump start for the northwest Indiana local food system

This creative project proposes an intervention, specifically a food hub, which will strengthen the local food system in Northwest Indiana. The design of the proposed intervention draws from theorists and practitioners influential to the fields of landscape architecture and planning. The nature of the intervention is influenced by a review of relevant research on local food systems, food systems data and statistics, the history of the region, and local food system stakeholder input.Department of Landscape ArchitectureThesis (M.L.A.

Into the woods : exposing children to outdoor classrooms

An evidence-based design concept of a 1.75 acre outdoor learning environment at Apple Tree YMCA Child Development Center located in Muncie, Indiana, was developed by recognizing principles used in European forest kindergartens, identifying contextual attitudes through surveys of parents, faculty and children, and conducting observational behavior research of children in indoor and outdoor settings.Department of Landscape ArchitectureThesis (M.L.A.