Difference between revisions of "CS382:Topics Matrix"

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=== Context ===
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= Concepts, Techniques and Tools =  
There are a number of themes that run through the units:
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There are a number of recurring themes, standard scientific techniques, and tools for doing science both in the real world and with a computing system contained in this course.  Many of them are seen at more than one point. 
* Quantitative reasoning
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 +
The plan is to introduce all of them at the start of the course, call them out whenever we encounter them during the course, and then review all of them as a group at the end of the course.
 +
 
 +
== Concepts ==
 
* Using models, modifying models, developing models
 
* Using models, modifying models, developing models
* Validation and verification
 
* Using tools, broadly defined
 
 
* Data -> information -> knowledge
 
* Data -> information -> knowledge
 
* Algorithmic thinking  
 
* Algorithmic thinking  
 +
* Computational thinking
 
* Abstraction  
 
* Abstraction  
* Computational thinking
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* Accuracy vs precision
 +
 
 +
== Techniques ==
 +
* Validation and verification
 +
* Interpreting a graph
 +
* Creating a graph
 +
* Basic statistics
 +
* Estimation
 +
* Parameter sweep
 +
* Data collection
 +
 
 +
== Tools ==
 +
* Spreadsheet; {Open, Neo} Office
 +
* Plotting; Sigma plot, gnuplot (?!), PlotDrop.  Why not just use the spreadsheet's tool?
 +
* Equation-based modeling; spreadsheet?
 +
* Agent-based modeling; NetLogo or AgentSheets
 +
* Systems-based modeling; Vensim
 +
* Visualization/visual modeling
 +
* Mashups and Google Earth
 +
 
 +
Potentially:
 +
* SecondLife or OpenSim
  
The units should have the following attributes, for the pedagogical ones all units should try to adhere to them, for the others we just need to make sure at least one unit covers them.
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== Overall Context ==
 
* Pedagogical  
 
* Pedagogical  
 
** Inquiry based learning  
 
** Inquiry based learning  
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** Open-ended to a degree  
 
** Open-ended to a degree  
 
** Using science to illustrate the diversity and complexity of the world around us
 
** Using science to illustrate the diversity and complexity of the world around us
 
 
* Structural
 
* Structural
 
** Metric system  
 
** Metric system  
 
** OSX, Windows, Linux whenever possible (lab sizes and locations)
 
** OSX, Windows, Linux whenever possible (lab sizes and locations)
 
** Classroom response system - questions for each unit, participation/attendance measured by response rate?  
 
** Classroom response system - questions for each unit, participation/attendance measured by response rate?  
 +
 +
== Items to be sorted ==
 +
* Quantitative reasoning
 +
* Using tools, broadly defined
  
 
Mechanical and structural stuff:
 
Mechanical and structural stuff:
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** Automated assessment tools
 
** Automated assessment tools
 
** Effective use of TAs
 
** Effective use of TAs
 
==== Scientific Tools ====
 
* Equation-based modeling
 
* Agent-based modeling: Netlogo or AgentSheets
 
* Systems-based modeling: Vensim
 
* Visualization/visual modeling
 
* Mashups and Google Earth
 
 
Potentially
 
* SecondLife or OpenSim
 
 
==== Foundation Skills ====
 
* Creating a graph
 
* Interpreting a graph
 
* Basic statistics
 
* Estimation
 
* Parameter sweep
 
* Data collection
 
 
Potentially
 
* Building a physical model in the real world
 
 
==== Thoughts ====
 
Some of these should go somewhere, and some of these should be in every unit.
 
  
 
* What data do I need to collect, how do I collect it accurately, and then how do I build it
 
* What data do I need to collect, how do I collect it accurately, and then how do I build it
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* Data collection: sensor nets, lasers
 
* Data collection: sensor nets, lasers
  
==== Total Gen Ed Coverage ====
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= Total Gen Ed Coverage =
 
[[total-geneds|Total Geneds]]
 
[[total-geneds|Total Geneds]]

Revision as of 23:57, 22 March 2009

When it's ready to be reviewed update the Status to be "Ready". This is the only signal that the reviewers will look for. When it's being reviewed the status will be "In Review" and then "Done".

Topic Matrix
Week Topic Unit(s) Who Discipline(s) Skill(s) Tool(s) Notes Status
1 What's a Model? Foundations Sam, Mikio Generic TBD TBD Ready
2 Using a Dynamic Model Fire Fitz, Vlado Forestry Critical parameter, parameter sweep Cellular Automata, NetLogo Ready
3 Building a Static Model Area Philip, Bryan Generic Accuracy, precision, estimation Mashup Software and physical Ready
4 Visualizing Data Mashup Matt, Nate TBD TBD Mashup Tufte based approach?
5-6 Structural Modeling Bridge Bryan, Dylan Bridge Building Physics Simulation Computational and physical models Ready
7-8 Equation Modeling Rocket Vlado, Sam Math, Physics Math, estimation skills and physics TBD Software and physical Ready
9 Agent Based Modeling and Computational Sociology People Nate, Philip Sociology TBD Agent modeling, NetLogo Ready
10-11 Modeling Predator-Prey Interactions Lynx and rabbits Dylan, Matt Biology TBD Systems dynamics modeling, NetLogo, and Agent-based Ready
12-13 Chaotic Systems Climate Mikio, Fitz Lots TBD TBD Ready

Concepts, Techniques and Tools

There are a number of recurring themes, standard scientific techniques, and tools for doing science both in the real world and with a computing system contained in this course. Many of them are seen at more than one point.

The plan is to introduce all of them at the start of the course, call them out whenever we encounter them during the course, and then review all of them as a group at the end of the course.

Concepts

  • Using models, modifying models, developing models
  • Data -> information -> knowledge
  • Algorithmic thinking
  • Computational thinking
  • Abstraction
  • Accuracy vs precision

Techniques

  • Validation and verification
  • Interpreting a graph
  • Creating a graph
  • Basic statistics
  • Estimation
  • Parameter sweep
  • Data collection

Tools

  • Spreadsheet; {Open, Neo} Office
  • Plotting; Sigma plot, gnuplot (?!), PlotDrop. Why not just use the spreadsheet's tool?
  • Equation-based modeling; spreadsheet?
  • Agent-based modeling; NetLogo or AgentSheets
  • Systems-based modeling; Vensim
  • Visualization/visual modeling
  • Mashups and Google Earth

Potentially:

  • SecondLife or OpenSim

Overall Context

  • Pedagogical
    • Inquiry based learning
    • Scaffolded
    • Open-ended to a degree
    • Using science to illustrate the diversity and complexity of the world around us
  • Structural
    • Metric system
    • OSX, Windows, Linux whenever possible (lab sizes and locations)
    • Classroom response system - questions for each unit, participation/attendance measured by response rate?

Items to be sorted

  • Quantitative reasoning
  • Using tools, broadly defined

Mechanical and structural stuff:

  • Scales well, say 20-80 students
    • Automated assessment tools
    • Effective use of TAs
  • What data do I need to collect, how do I collect it accurately, and then how do I build it
    • Perhaps one unit where they have to go out and collect data to see how hard it really is, how about modeling campus (rectangle and heart)
  • Data collection: sensor nets, lasers

Total Gen Ed Coverage

Total Geneds