1 K-12 Teaching Application Support and Software Ongo-08Client Ames Community Schools Advisors Dr. John W. Lamont Professor Ralph Patterson Wednesday December

1

K-12 Teaching Application Support and Software

Ongo-08Ongo-08

ClientClientAmes Community SchoolsAmes Community Schools

AdvisorsAdvisorsDr. John W. LamontDr. John W. Lamont

Professor Ralph PattersonProfessor Ralph Patterson

Wednesday December 6, 2006Wednesday December 6, 2006

2

Overview (1/2)

3

Overview (2/2)

4

• ACS - Ames Community Schools

• API - Application Program Interface

• CVS - Concurrent Versioning System

• GW - Globey’s World• MTSS - Mathematical

Teaching and Support Software

• PHP - PHP Hypertext Preprocessor

• PSA - Problem Solving Algorithm

• SASF - Software and Support Framework

• SQL - Structured Query Language

• USA - Uncle Sam’s America

TerminologyTerminology

5

Phil OhnemusTeam Leader

Tony BrimeyerCommunications

Coordinator

Jennifer EkstrandMTSS

Paul SpeckGW/USA

David GoodrichSASF

James Marshall

Srisarath Patneedi

Aaron Menz

Cameron Travers

Jeff Allen Josh Solyntjes

Grant Johnson

Tony Brimeyer

Grant Eckels

Jennifer Novak

Todd Steffen

Erin Boggess

6

• History Lesson• Problem Statement• Operating Environment• Intended Users & Uses• Assumptions & Limitations• End Product & Deliverables

Introductory MaterialsIntroductory Materials

7

•MTSS started as a design project•GW and USA began as separate

projects•The three projects combined because

of their similar goals•The framework team was created to

help manage the three projects

History LessonHistory Lesson

8

•General Purpose - design Internet-based teaching software applications emphasizing mathematical problem solving and geography

•Provide children in elementary school grades 3-6 the opportunity to exercise their computer skills while learning important lessons

• Applications• MTSS – Math Problem-Solving• GW & USA – Geography• Framework – Web Tools

Problem Statement (1/3)Problem Statement (1/3)

9

• Proposed Approach • Create Web-Based Software

• Accessible from the students’ computer

• Accessible via the Internet• Populate a Database

• Example problems• Homework problems• Quizzes


10

• Proposed Approach Continued• MTSS

• Create an algorithm to teach students the problem solving process

• Provide quizzes and homework problems• GW and USA

• Include facts and comparisons for different geographical locations

• Provide educational games • Framework

• Support web tools which will aid the students and teachers with scores, quizzes, and lessons

• Use PHP, SQL, and HTML for framework


11

Operating EnvironmentOperating Environment

12

• Elementary students grades 3-6• Teachers • Parents of students• Elementary school administrators• Course coordinators

Intended UsersIntended Users

13

•Supplemental tool for students:•Math•US geography•World geography

•Quizzing tool•Supplemental homework•Track students’ progress

Intended UsesIntended Uses

14

• Modern web browser• Client connected to the Internet• Supplement to classroom instruction• Adequate supervision to help students with

computer and application problems• Can be used at home and in the classroom• Not intended to be written to accommodate

handicapped children • Framework will have high stability• All team members will have access to the server

AssumptionsAssumptions

15

• New team members may not be familiar with PHP or MySQL

• The size of the database is limited• Younger students may not have prior

experience using computers or know how to type

• The total number of users from all participating school districts will be no more than 40,000

LimitationsLimitations

16

•Already Delivered•Prototype of the K-12 Teaching Application

• Mathematical practice problems• Reference tool of world and US geographical information • Instruction manual

•Future Deliverables•Prototype of K-12 Teaching Application

• Ability to walk students through the process of solving a math problem

• Interactive games to reinforce knowledge of world and US geography

• Developer documentation

End Product & DeliverablesEnd Product & Deliverables

17

• Previous Accomplishments• Present Accomplishments• Future Required Activities• Approaches Considered• Project Activities

Accomplishments and ActivitiesAccomplishments and Activities

18

•MTSS•Formed in Fall 2001•Database and prototype designed using

ASP•Created problems and a way to add

problems to database•Converted ASP code to PHP•Restructured database to fit framework’s

design•Started work on problem solving

algorithm

Previous Accomplishments (1/4)Previous Accomplishments (1/4)

19

•GW•Formed in Fall 2002•Delivered working version of help and

country comparison page•Cleaned and formatted world fact

database entries•Implemented authentication

framework•Modified user management


20

•USA•Formed in Fall 2002•Designed database schema•Populated database with state information•Implemented reference tool and

authentication •Created page to compare information

about multiple states•Designed and developed simple games


21

•Framework•Formed in Fall 2003• Evaluated existing skeleton code and

determined it unusable• Developed libraries to allow user

authentication and registration• Implemented CVS to include all sub-team

code• Created XML templates to implement a similar

look and feel throughout the software suite


22

Present Accomplishments Present Accomplishments MTSS (1/3)MTSS (1/3)

•MTSS• Improved overall

quality of software• Fixed bugs• Cleaned code

• Documented existing code

23

Present AccomplishmentsPresent AccomplishmentsMTSS MTSS (2/3)

•MTSS Problem Solving Algorithm• Chose to use

existing problem creation tool

• Designed problem walkthrough presentation

• Created example walkthrough problems

24

Present AccomplishmentsPresent AccomplishmentsMTSS (3/3)MTSS (3/3)

• MTSS Interface Improvements

25

Present AccomplishmentsGW/USA (1/4)

• Converted Flash maps to HTML image maps for consistency and compatibility

• Significantly reduced page loading times

26


• Created an automatic database re-population tool

• No longer requires manual almanac lookup by students

27


• Refined look of USA games

• Introduced a three-try scheme which allows students to work toward the correct answer

28


• Produced a template for integration of mathematics into geographical topics

• Created sample problems from the template

29

Present Accomplishments Framework Team (1/4)Server Account Maintenance

• Registered users for each school’s teachers and students

• Removed previous students from development server, added new students

30

Present Accomplishments Framework Team (2/4)Framework Documentation

• Documented source code

• Identified problems in existing code base that can be projects for code familiarization in the future

31

Present Accomplishments Framework Team (3/4)

Framework Update• Re-implemented

user registration page

• Implemented “Log out” capability

• Made log in page match existing look and feel

32

Present Accomplishments Framework Team (4/4)Server Maintenance

• Migrated code to production server in anticipation of release

• Determined unused code portions and removed them

33

• Distribute software to school districts• Create uniform grade book and quizzing

functionality • Add answer conversion functionality for text

answers• Incorporate garbage collection utility to remove

unreferenced data from tables• Evaluate security issues and their implications • Continue cleanup and optimization of code• Perform large-scale testing to guarantee that

framework will work in multiple environments under multiple conditions

Future Required ActivitiesFuture Required Activities

34

• MTSS approaches considered• Four step problem solving algorithm

• Find out• Choose strategy• Solve it• Look back

• Multiple question problem solving algorithm that get students thinking about the different ways to solve problem.

Approaches Considered (1/3)Approaches Considered (1/3)

35

• GW/USA• Research Tool

• Database of geography information can be used as electronic source for reports

• Interactive Application• Interactive games will add interest for

intended audience• Strengthen learning of geography

concepts


36

• Framework• ASP.NET and SQL Server• Classic ASP and SQL Server• Javascript• Java and MySQL• PHP and MySQL


37

• MTSS• Multiple question problem solving algorithm

• GW/USA• Interactive game implementation

• Geography applications will have games added to them in order to keep students’ interest

• Look into further subjects that can be incorporated

• Framework• PHP and MySQL

• PHP is growing quickly and will be around for a long time• PHP is similar to C/C++ so many of the team members

should be able to pick it up quickly

Approaches UsedApproaches Used

38

• Composed a project plan for Ongo08 team

• Held PHP and SQL training session• Conducted a walk-through of code layout

and methods to modify applications• Performed the necessary steps for

software release

Project Activities (1/6)Definition

39

• Brainstormed new ideas and evaluated old options for problem solving algorithm

• Located sources for automatic database repopulation tool• http://www.50states.com• http://www.fedstats.gov• Evaluated different methods to integrate

mathematics and geography• Teacher-generated problems• Randomly-generated problems

Project Activities (2/6)Research

40

• Created uniform methods for grade book and quizzing

• Designed efficient database organization to store problems for the integration of mathematics and geography

• Developed improved graphics for each application

Project Activities (3/6)Design

41

• MTSS – Problem Solving Algorithm improvement• MTSS – Re-defined problem search page• GW/USA - Automatic database repopulation tool• GW/USA – Added ability to create mathematical

geography questions• SASF - Re-implemented user registration page• SASF – Migrated log in page to match existing

template

Project Activities (4/6)Implementation

42

• Prepared software for release to client• Currently have software ready for release• Awaiting teacher involvement

• Tested software• Added to list of application bugs to be

fixed• Tested applications for usability

Project Activities (5/6)Testing & Results

43

• Cleaned server code• Added more documentation on

framework use• Developed documentation for adding

other applications to the suite

Project Activities (6/6)Other Activities

44

• Personnel Effort• Financial Requirements• Schedule

Resources & Schedule

45

Personnel Effort (1/4)Personnel Effort (1/4)

MTSS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Meetings Other Total

J ennifer Ekstrand 5 7 15 13 6 5 10 8 10 16 4 99

J ames Marshall 8 7 13 16 4 6 7 6 10 12 4 93

Aaron Menz 5 6 17 11 5 8 7 10 5 12 4 90

Srisarath Patneedi 10 6 14 13 5 7 10 6 7 12 4 94

Cameron Travers 9 6 14 14 4 8 5 9 9 12 4 94

Sub-Team Total 37 32 73 67 24 34 39 39 41 64 20 470

46

Personnel Effort (2/4)Personnel Effort (2/4)GW/USA 1 2 3 4 5 6 10 11 12 13 Meetings Other Total

Jeff Allen 4 5 12 14 5 4 6 8 9 10 12 4 93

Erin Boggess 6 5 15 11 4 6 8 7 11 5 12 4 94

Jennifer Novak 5 5 15 13 4 7 9 10 6 6 12 4 96

Phil Ohnemus 8 7 18 11 3 5 7 7 7 10 16 4 103

Paul Speck 6 6 16 11 4 6 6 5 10 9 16 4 99

Todd Steffen 5 5 14 16 5 5 10 9 6 7 12 4 98

Sub-Team Total 34 33 90 76 25 33 46 46 49 47 80 24 583

47

Personnel Effort (3/4)Personnel Effort (3/4)

SASF 1 2 3 4 5 6 14 15 16 17 Meetings Other Total

Tony Brimeyer 5 6 13 16 8 8 6 12 5 4 12 4 99

Grant Eckels 7 6 14 16 10 7 7 4 8 10 12 4 105

David Goodrich 7 7 16 15 7 6 7 10 6 6 16 4 107

Grant Johnson 4 6 16 13 6 6 10 7 8 5 12 4 97

Josh Solyntjes 5 6 15 13 6 6 6 7 4 11 12 4 95

Sub-Team Total 28 31 74 73 37 33 36 40 31 36 64 20 503

48

Past Effort (4/4)Past Effort (4/4)SemesterSemester HoursHoursSpring 2002Spring 2002 971

Fall 2002Fall 2002 610

Spring 2003Spring 2003 1,546

Fall 2003Fall 2003 1,312

Spring 2004Spring 2004 1,508Fall 2004Fall 2004 1,402



Total: 12,918

49

Financial Requirements (1/6)Financial Requirements (1/6)

TeamTeam ItemItem With LaborWith Labor

Ongo 8aOngo 8aMTSSMTSS

Labor at $10.50 Jennifer Ekstrand James Marshall Aaron Menz Srisarath Patneedi Cameron Travers

$1,039.50$975.50$945.00$987.00$987.00

Total: $4,935.00

50



Ongo 8b/cOngo 8b/cGW/USAGW/USA

Labor at $10.50 Jeff Allen Erin Boggess Jennifer Novak Phil Ohnemus Paul Speck Todd Steffen

$976.50$987.00

$1,008.00$1,081.50$1,039.50$1,029.00

Total: $6,121.50

51



Ongo 8dOngo 8dFrameworkFramework

Labor at $10.50 Tony Brimeyer Grant Eckels David Goodrich Grant Johnson Josh Solyntjes

$1,039.50$1,102.50$1,123.50$1,018.50$997.50

Total: $5,281.50

52


TeamTeam ItemItem W/O LaborW/O Labor

Ongo 8Ongo 8MaterialsMaterials

Parts and Materials Binding Copying Poster

$5.00$10.00$30.00

Total: $45.00

53


TeamTeam ItemItem W/O LaborW/O Labor With LaborWith Labor

Ongo 8Ongo 8TeamTeamTotalsTotals

Ongo 8a $4,935.00

Ongo 8b/c $6,121.50

Ongo 8d $5,281.50

Materials $45.00 $45.00

Total $45.00 $16,383.00

54

Financial Requirements (6/6)Financial Requirements (6/6)TeamTeam ItemItem W/O LaborW/O Labor With LaborWith Labor

Total CostsTotal Costs

Spring 2002 $60 $10,195Fall 2002 $60 $6,405Spring 2003 $65 $16,233Fall 2003 $65 $10,776Spring 2004 $75 $15,834Fall 2004 $75 $14,721Spring 2005 $75 $15,907Fall 2005 $30 $13,608Spring 2006 $60 $12,678Fall 2006 $45 $16,383

Total $610 $133,305

55

ScheduleSchedule

56

• Project Evaluation• Future Work• Lessons Learned• Risks & Risk Management• Closing Summary• Questions?

Closing MaterialsClosing Materials

57

Project Evaluation (1/4)MilestonesMilestones RelativeRelative

ImportanceImportanceEvaluationEvaluationScoreScore

ResultantResultantScoreScore

Problem Definition 5% 90% 4.5

Research 10% 90% 9

Technology Selection 5% 100% 5

End-Product Design 5% 75% 3.75

Prototype Implementation 15% 90% 13.5

End-Product Testing 20% 50% 10

End-Product Documentation 10% 80% 8

Project Reviews 10% 85% 8.5

Project Reporting 10% 95% 9.5

End-Product Demonstration 10% 95% 9.5

Total 100% 81.25

Passing ScorePassing Score 80 points80 points

58

MilestonesMilestones Current StatusCurrent Status Semester GoalSemester GoalProject Definition Ongoing Ongoing

Software Training Course Met (100%) Training Held (100%)

Framework and Training Course Met (100%) Training Held (100%)

Compose Manual Completed (100%) Completed (100%)

Find and Remove Unnecessary Code Ongoing Ongoing

Document (Comment) Code In-Line Ongoing Ongoing

Project Evaluation (2/4)

59


MilestonesMilestones Current StatusCurrent Status Semester GoalSemester Goal

Fix Identified Bugs In Progress (90%) Completed (100%)

Find Teachers Completed (100%) Completed (100%)

Support Software Not Started (0%) Supported (100%)

Fix User Submitted Bugs Not Started (0%) Fixed (80%)

Survey Users Not Started (0%) Surveyed (100%)

End Product Documentation Documented (100%) Documented (100%)

Semester Plan Completed (100%) Completed (100%)

Status Report Completed (100%) Completed (100%)

60


MilestonesMilestones Current StatusCurrent Status Semester GoalSemester Goal

Weekly E-mail Reporting Completed (100%) Completed (100%)

Presentation to Senior Design Class Completed (100%) Completed (100%)

Industrial Review Panel In Progress (90%) Completed (100%)

Improve Problem Solving Algorithm In Progress (50%) In Progress (80%)

Database Repopulation Completed (100%) Completed (100%)

61

• Support disabled users• Implement quizzing and grade book

functionality for application suite• Create additional games for the

software applications• Add new applications for other

educational subject areas

Recommendation for Future Work

62

• Technical • PHP standards• MySQL standards• How to use CVS• Problem solving methods and ways to

make children learn effectively

Lessons Learned (1/2)

63

• Non-Technical• Importance of planning• Significance of documentation• How to write instructions to people who

are not familiar with a software tool• Value of communication• How to negotiate and compromise

between group members

Lessons Learned (2/2)Lessons Learned (2/2)

64

• Loss of team member• Obtain logbook of member and divide

extra workload among team members • Loss of data via the server crashing

• Back up server data on multiple servers• Loss of contact with client

• Faculty advisers archive contact information for current and past clients

Risk & Risk ManagementRisk & Risk Management

65

•The K-12 Teaching and Support Software is an application that is intended to supplement children’s learning in the classroom. It is intended to help the children in the areas of mathematical problem solving and world and US geography.

Closing SummaryClosing Summary

66

Questions?Questions?

Documents

1 K-12 Teaching Application Support and Software Ongo-08Client Ames Community Schools Advisors Dr. John W. Lamont Professor Ralph Patterson Wednesday December