Sunday, October 28, 2018
FCC Proposed New 6 GHz Wifi Spectrum
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Gordon F Snyder Jr
at
3:23 PM
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Labels: communications, connectivity, Data, Engineering, Technology, WIFi, Wireless
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Successful Academic Program Secret Sauces
I’ve had the recent opportunity to get back in the classroom with traditional students (18-22 years old) after a 20 year semi-administrative hiatus. The experience has been more than an eye opener for me. Students today are connected 24/7 with mobile the communications method of choice. Instant access to information, family, friends and peers has made students much more aware of options and opportunities. As a result, they are often not afraid to walk away and try something else if a program does not feel right.
How does this relate to our academic programs? We are working hard to recruit students into our programs and continue to work hard to get them through our courses and graduate but…. we all end up losing some. Can we do a better job retaining students in our classes? Can we better help students that are motivated but struggling? Can we learn from our faculty peers at other institutions? Why are some programs more successful than others?
Here’s a short successful program secret sauce list based on my observations:
- They have faculty that have strong professional relationships with students.
- They have faculty that make students aware of services that are available on their campuses.
- They have faculty that identify students early who may be at-risk and help them get the support they need.
- They have faculty that assess students early and often in every course to help identify and advise students that may need a little extra support. Ideally this includes weekly quizzes and homework assignments that are promptly graded and returned to students the following class.
- They have faculty that refer students to the proper service for larger issues as appropriate.
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Gordon F Snyder Jr
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11:41 AM
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Saturday, September 29, 2018
What Information Can Be Pulled Off A Mobile Device SIM Card?
- Mobile Country Code (MCC) – the first three digits identify the country.
- Mobile Network Code (MNC) – the next two digits identifies the cell provider mobile unit in a GSM network.
- Mobile Subscriber Identity Number (MSIN) – the next nine digits identifies the mobile unit in a GSM network.
- Country Code (CC) – up to three digits
- National Destination Code (NDC) – two or three digits
- Subscriber Number (SN) – up to a max. of ten digits
Posted by
Gordon F Snyder Jr
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10:25 AM
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Labels: Computer, Education, forensics, mobile, Privacy, Security, SIM, Technology
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Online Ladder Logic Simulations
Some of you know how much I’m loving being back in the classroom as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Hartford College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture (CETA). I started in January for the spring semester and am fortunate to have been invited back for the fall semester. CETA offers both BS Engineering Technology and BS Engineering degrees with students having the following options:
- Engineering, with its emphasis on theory, analysis, and design,
- Technology, which teaches engineering technology, with an emphasis on hands-on application of theory; or
- Architecture, with its emphasis on a combination of design and application of theory.
Over the summer I had some time and experimented a bit with PLC Fiddle - a really nice
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https://bit.ly/2xsAElk |
If you follow the link below the screen shot you'll go to the simluation website where you can turn Input 1 and Input 2 ON and OFF (OFF = Logic 0, ON = Logic 1) by clicking the boxes next to Input 1 and Input 2 in the left hand column. As you change the Inputs, watch how the Output changes for each gate type.
I’m not teaching a digital course this semester but if you are - feel free to share and use the simulations in your classes. And - if you are a faculty person, current student, former student, already have your AS or AAS degree and want to continue, etc, etc and are interested in an excellent Engineering, Engineering Technology or Architecture BS degree program - I can help connect you with the right people at the University of Hartford. My Hartford email address is gosnyder@hartford.edu You can contact me any time!
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Gordon F Snyder Jr
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5:13 PM
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Labels: BSET, Engineering, Logic, simulation, Technology, Transfer
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Effective Decision Making
A bad "big" decision will always have long lasting impact on any organization. Letting things fester and trying to cover up makes things even worse - just look at Michigan State as an example. Following the Coinbase framework is one way to try and avoid making them. Be sure to read Brian's full post here.
Posted by
Gordon F Snyder Jr
at
8:20 AM
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Labels: Administration, Decision Making, Education, Hiring
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Will Java Survive?
We've been hearing for years about Java's pending demise but...... it lives on. That may be changing though. A couple weeks ago Oracle announced the upcoming end of Java 8 updates. Details:
- After January 19 public updates for Java SE 8 will not be available for business, commercial, or production use without a commercial license.
- However, public updates for Java SE 8 will be available for individual, personal use through at least the end of 2020.
Confused? Here's a little more timeline info:
- Will this lead to the end of corporate freeloading and speed up of Java development under the guide of Oracle?
- Will companies band together and fund development for some free to use for all Java versions?
- Will the open source crowd pick up development stronger than it does now?
- Or will some other language benefit? (C#? JavaScript? Elixir? ..)
According to a Philip Guo survey taken way back in 2014, Python has overtaken Java as the most popular introductory language of instruction at top US Computer Science programs. That said - Java remains an excellent first year/introductory language for Computer Science and Computer Engineering students. I've always believed that first course depends more on the quality of instruction and not the language de jour...... not going any further there though - that's for another post!
Posted by
Gordon F Snyder Jr
at
3:36 PM
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Labels: Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Computers, Education, Engineering, Technology
Sunday, April 29, 2018
New iPad 9.7" with Pencil So Far
Last weekend I picked up one of the new A10 Fusion chip Retina display 9.7" iPads with Apple Pencil support. I was able to get the Apple academic discount ~ educators and students can purchase this iPad starting at $299 (US) and an Apple Pencil for $89 (US). I also picked up a Logitech Slim Folio Bluetooth keyboard and a Hermit Shell pencil case.
I've been doing a lot of sample problem video and audio recordings this semester for an AC electronics course. The example videos are best described as applied mathematics problem solutions - I write and talk through the problems while recording and post them on the web for students to access. Up until last week these recordings were being made using a 10 year old Tablet PC. The Tablet PC worked but the process was a little clunky - Apple adding Pencil support was my initial justification for the purchase.
Video recording on the new iPad has been a breeze. I'm using the built in recording app on the iPad along with the GoodNotes app - simple and slick. I don't do any editing by choice. My recordings go automatically into Photos on the iPad as mp4's and I just upload them to Google Drive for student access.
I'm also teaching an Engineering Design course this semester. Students in this class are proposing and building some really cool Arduino based projects. They do a lot of writing in this course and are required to electronically submit all work. Up until last week I was using Word on my MacBook to make document review edits and add comments. Once completed I email the edited document files back to the students. A few days ago I started using the iPad and Pencil to make handwritten edits and add comments to the student Word documents. Once saved I also send these documents back to the students. So far so good.
I purchased a first generation iPad years ago and it got very limited use. The new one has been a completely different experience so far.
Could an iPad replace my four year old 15 inch MacBook? Not yet but...... substitution is getting closer.
Posted by
Gordon F Snyder Jr
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10:33 AM
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Labels: Education, Engineering, impact, iPad, student, Technology