Tuesday, September 29, 2015

RE: Gantt chart - project management

Feedback:
  1. The granularity of your activities need to be reduced by dividing them into sub-activities.
  2. The overview of Java and Android Studio should be very short. Right after that you might want to start with the existing (simpler) code.
  3. You can try to do a simple app (not the final one) just to get familiar with the tools/programming.
  4. Brainstorming should be a shorter, intensive activity.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

RE: Initial Planning & Coordination

Project Description & Merits
   The purpose of our project is to create educational mobile applications for the visually impaired using the Senseg platform. This tablet allows something called haptic feedback, which allows the user to feel the screen when touching it. We hope to create apps based on haptic feedback and TalkBack (Android's version of the VoiceOver) that would eventually benefit both visually impaired and other users, but that would facilitate learning for visually impaired. 
   The potential contributions in education for the visually impaired are the learning of geometry -since visually impaired kids can't distinguish shapes visually- and geography -since visually impaired people do not know geographical boundaries/maps.  

Group/Team Communication
Our group consists of Kate Slate, Gabriela Wahba, Lola Roberts and Leslie Landis. In order to split up research tasks, we will be working in two subcategories as well. Gabi and Lola will act as partners. Kate and Leslie will act as partners. We will be communicating via Facebook. We have created a group chat where all concerns, discussions and work outside of the classroom will be met. Our written documents will be created via Google Docs and shared with one another, in order to collaborate on all assignments. From Google Docs, we will transfer our work to the blog site.

Prior Work/Resource Inventory
For resources, we have all the information gathered from last year in the second dimension blog. There are also free tutorials online on how to use Xcode/Swift and Android Studio/Java. We will continue to post achievements both on this blog and on the Second Dimension blog.

Technology Analysis
This project requires knowledge on how to use the Senseg technology and how it can be used to create mobile apps. This project also requires programming and coding to create the base of the mobile apps. Over the summer, our team has been and will continue watching tutorials and learning the fundamentals of working with the technology at hand. We will need extensive knowledge of Java language -which we are not familiar with-, Android Studio -which we started learning last year- and the Senseg API -which will probably be the most challenging one.

Competence
Android Studio - Gabriela has some knowledge
Programming - Lola has this knowledge which she learned from her robotics classes 
  • Be more specific in your competence such that you can list the missing ones. The missing ones will become part of your plan to pick them up.
  • Lola didn't learn Java in robotics class since it's not part of the curriculum.

Safety
Generally, there are no safety issues. However, the Senseg tablet works with high voltage, and can present danger if not handled with caution.

Equipment, materials, budget
We need computers with the Android Studio and Sesnseg SDK softwares installed in and the Senseg tablet. As of now, our budget is $0. However, if conflict arises between our team and Team 9, we might have to think about purchasing another tablet. Senseg does not have more development kits at the moment, but they are working on an update which will have a better screen. I have already emailed them about the update and am waiting for a response.
  • Do you know what the "better screen" means?
Schedule - we will use the Gantt chart to update our schedule

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Initial Planning - EDITED

Project Description & Merits
   The purpose of our project is to create educational mobile applications for the visually impaired using the Senseg platform. This tablet allows something called haptic feedback, which allows the user to feel the screen when touching it. We hope to create apps based on haptic feedback and TalkBack (Android's version of the VoiceOver) that would eventually benefit both visually impaired and other users, but that would facilitate learning for visually impaired. 
   The potential contributions in education for the visually impaired are the learning of geometry -since visually impaired kids can't distinguish shapes visually- and geography -since visually impaired people do not know geographical boundaries/maps.  

Group/Team Communication
Our group consists of Kate Slate, Gabriela Wahba, Lola Roberts and Leslie Landis. In order to split up research tasks, we will be working in two subcategories as well. Gabi and Lola will act as partners. Kate and Leslie will act as partners. We will be communicating via Facebook. We have created a group chat where all concerns, discussions and work outside of the classroom will be met. Our written documents will be created via Google Docs and shared with one another, in order to collaborate on all assignments. From Google Docs, we will transfer our work to the blog site.

Prior Work/Resource Inventory
For resources, we have all the information gathered from last year in the second dimension blog. There are also free tutorials online on how to use Xcode/Swift and Android Studio/Java. We will continue to post achievements both on this blog and on the Second Dimension blog.

Technology Analysis
This project requires knowledge on how to use the Senseg technology and how it can be used to create mobile apps. This project also requires programming and coding to create the base of the mobile apps. Over the summer, our team has been and will continue watching tutorials and learning the fundamentals of working with the technology at hand. We will need extensive knowledge of Java language -which we are not familiar with-, Android Studio -which we started learning last year- and the Senseg API -which will probably be the most challenging one.

Competence
Android Studio - Gabriela has some knowledge
Programming - Lola has this knowledge which she learned from her robotics classes 

Safety
Generally, there are no safety issues. However, the Senseg tablet works with high voltage, and can present danger if not handled with caution.

Equipment, materials, budget
We need computers with the Android Studio and Sesnseg SDK softwares installed in and the Senseg tablet. As of now, our budget is $0. However, if conflict arises between our team and Team 9, we might have to think about purchasing another tablet. Senseg does not have more development kits at the moment, but they are working on an update which will have a better screen. I have already emailed them about the update and am waiting for a response.


Schedule - we will use the Gantt chart to update our schedule

Saturday, September 19, 2015

RE: Initial Planning & Coordination

Project Description & Merits
The purpose of our project is to create mobile applications for the visually impaired using the Senseg platform. This tablet allows something called haptic feedback, which is very beneficial to both visually impaired and other touchscreen users.  After much research, we hope to create an application that uses differing aspects such as voiceovers and screen vibrations rather than having to look at the application itself.
  • Your team has special focus on educational mobile apps. Even though keep close tie and sharing with team 9, you should start separating your post from team 9, and develop your own specialty.
  • VoiceOver is a feature of iOS, and developers can easily integrate it into the apps. That's one of the main reason that iPhone has become the most popular device among the visually impaired. You should find out what is the similar function in Android, and how it works.  
  • What are your potential contributions in education for the visually impaired?
Group/Team Communication
Our group consists of Kate Slate, Gabriela Wahba, Lola Roberts and Leslie Landis. In order to split up research tasks, we will be working in two subcategories as well. Gabi and Lola will act as partners. Kate and Leslie will act as partners. We will be communicating via Facebook. We have created a group chat where all concerns, discussions and work outside of the classroom will be met. Our written documents will be created via Google Docs and shared with one another, in order to collaborate on all assignments. From Google Docs, we will transfer our work to the blog site.
  • Great.
Prior Work/Resource Inventory
For resources, we have all the information gathered from last year in the second dimension blog. There are also free tutorials online on how to use Xcode/Swift and Android Studio/Java. 
  • You should continue your own research, and gathering new info, and post them in the 2nd Dimension blog.
Technology Analysis
This project requires knowledge on how to use the Senseg technology and how it can be used to create mobile apps. This project also requires programming and coding to create the base of the mobile apps. Over the summer, our team has been and will continue watching tutorials and learning the fundamentals of working with the technology at hand. 
  • The analysis needs to be more specific. List them in details such as Android studio, Java, Senseg API, and those special requirements according to your chosen applications. 
Competence
JAVA language -
Android Studio - Gabriela (in the process of learning)
Senseg SDK programming - we need to learn this
Xcode/Swift
  • The "technology analysis" is about what you need, and the "competence" is about waht you have.
  • For your group (8), Xcode and Swift are not applicable. They belong to iOS.  
Safety
No issues, since most work will be done via software. 
  • Since it is software design, in general, there is no safety issue. However, the Senseg device does use high voltage to create electrovibration, you might want to follow up the safety issue with Senseg. Understand what type of safety mechanism has been implemented in the device.
Equipment, materials, budget
We need computers with the Android Studio software installed in and the Senseg tablet. As of now, our budget is $0. 
  • There is a risk factor here, since we has only one tablet for two groups (assume both groups use the same platform). It's an expansive device ($1,000).
  • You should also follow up with Senseg about the availability and development of the device (Any new version? Price?).  
Schedule
Our goal is to have tasks divided by the middle of the week and to start brainstorming app ideas by the end of the week.
  • Based on your summer research, you have already came up a list of possible apps (of course, you can revise them!). You should go deeper to understand what are the skills required to implement those ideas.
  • You should install the Senseg SDK ASAP to start the work.
  • There is an example code in Senseg SDK. You should use all your Java skill to fully understand it.
  • A simple, working Android app has been developed during the summer to run on the Senseg tablet, and the code is available. Your team should get the code and start studying it.  

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Initial Planning & Coordination

Homework Assignment #1
Project Description & Merits
The purpose of our project is to create mobile applications for the visually impaired using the Senseg platform. This tablet allows something called haptic feedback, which is very beneficial to both visually impaired and other touchscreen users.  After much research, we hope to create an application that uses differing aspects such as voiceovers and screen vibrations rather than having to look at the application itself.
Group/Team Communication
Our group consists of Kate Slate, Gabriela Wahba, Lola Roberts and Leslie Landis. In order to split up research tasks, we will be working in two subcategories as well. Gabi and Lola will act as partners. Kate and Leslie will act as partners. We will be communicating via Facebook. We have created a group chat where all concerns, discussions and work outside of the classroom will be met. Our written documents will be created via Google Docs and shared with one another, in order to collaborate on all assignments. From Google Docs, we will transfer our work to the blog site.
Prior Work/Resource Inventory
For resources, we have all the information gathered from last year in the second dimension blog. There are also free tutorials online on how to use Xcode/Swift and Android Studio/Java.
Technology Analysis
This project requires knowledge on how to use the Senseg technology and how it can be used to create mobile apps. This project also requires programming and coding to create the base of the mobile apps. Over the summer, our team has been and will continue watching tutorials and learning the fundamentals of working with the technology at hand.
Competence
JAVA language -
Android Studio - Gabriela (in the process of learning)
Senseg SDK programming - we need to learn this
Xcode/Swift
Safety
No issues, since most work will be done via software.
Equipment, materials, budget
We need computers with the Android Studio software installed in and the Senseg tablet. As of now, our budget is $0.
Schedule
Our goal is to have tasks divided by the middle of the week and to start brainstorming app ideas by the end of the week.