Dr. Herbert H. Tsang: CMPT 275:: Student Projects

I. PUBLICATION

I have taught this class in various semesters (Summer 2009 / Fall 2009 / Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 / Fall 2010 / Summer 2011) with different variations. A paper that described our adventure in Fall 2009 (SFU Innovation Challenge) was published in WCCCE 2010.

J. Kietzmann and H. H. Tsang, "Minding the Gap: Bridging Computing Science and Business Studies with an Interdisciplinary Innovation Challenge", WCCCE 2010 - the 15th Western Canadian Conference on Computing Education, University of British Columbia, May 7 - 8, 2010, P. 80-84

II. APPS STORE

Currently, three apps that we have developed in our class are in the iTunes store. We are expecting more apps to be in the iTune store soon!

Name	Description	Release date
SFU Beedie School of Business	Connect with the Beedie School of Business at Simon Fraser University in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia - one of Canada's premier business schools. Our growing digital community includes students, alumni, scholars and industry leaders. Get the latest in management research highlights and thought leadership - from innovation to entrepreneurship to international business. Learn more about school events, alumni updates and new ideas for business, whenever and wherever you want them. link	May 3, 2011
SFU	SFU is an unofficial app for SFU. There are numbers of features that you may find useful, check it out! link	Jan 10, 2011
Green Powered	Green Powered is a sorting game to show which types of items are recyclable, and how to sort those items. Recycling tools which helps kids recycle by giving them a way to log what they recycle, and a way to find recycling depots near their area. link	Oct 20, 2010
Asteroid Math	Asteroid Math is a side scrolling space shooter where the player must destroy asteroids to collect numbers to complete an onscreen equation. Tests addition, subtraction and multiplication. link	Aug 09, 2010
S-I-G-M-A	S-I-G-M-A is a falling blocks game with a math twist. link	Jun 05, 2010

See here for more information.

III. PROJECT SUMMARIES

The following table summarized the different projects we have done in various semesters.

Semester	Special Projects	Description
Summer 2009	Class project	First semester teaching this class with iPhone/iPod Touch as class project.
Fall 2009	CMPT 275 Class Project - SFU Innovation Challenge	Project centered on “Mobile education in today’s workforce”. Collaboration with Dr. Jan Kietzmann, SFU School of Business and Elmer Sum, SFU’s University / Industry Liaison Office (UILO)
Fall 2009	MITACS / Accelerate Internship program	Student worked at Mod7 Communications Inc. and Elastic Entertainment Inc. as a part of the MITACS ACCELERATE internship program (Mathematics of Information Technology And Complex Systems). Collaboration with Dr. Kay C. Wiese (SFU CS).
Spring 2010	CMPT 275 Class Project	Project centered around “Mobile education”
Spring 2010	TIME Ventures Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Initiative	Student worked for MusicCentric Technologies Inc. under the SFU TIME Ventures SME Initiative. Collaboration with Dr. Tamara Smyth (SFU CS).
Summer 2010	CMPT 275 Class Project - OSDFA – “One Size Does Not Fit All”	Project centered on “Mobile computing for user with accessibility issues”. Collaboration with Dr. Peter Borwein, Professor and Burnaby Mountain Chair, Co-Executive Director IRMACS.
Fall 2010	CMPT 275 Class Project - Information portal	There were two sponsors for this semester: The Dean's office of Faculty of Applied Science and the School of Business (SFU Innovation Challenge II)
Fall 2010	MITACS / Accelerate Internship program	Postdoctoral fellow worked with a local company as a part of the MITACS ACCELERATE internship program (Mathematics of Information Technology And Complex Systems). Co-Supervised with Dr. Tom Calvert (SFU School of Interactive Arts and Technology).
Summer 2011	CMPT 275 Class Project - OSDFA – “One Size Does Not Fit All - II”	Project centered on “Mobile computing for user with accessibility issues”.

Summer 2011 - "OSDFA One Size Doesn't Fit All - II"

The goal of the project is to develop software tool to help person with accessibility issues.

Stay tuned for more details or email me for more information.

Group #	Apps	Demo
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Group #	Apps	Demo
1	reachSFU
2	sFAS
3	SFUmobileFAS
4	FASApp
5	SFUApp
6	iSFU
7	sCampusInnovate
14	FAST

Group #	Apps	Demo
8	SFUBizApp
9	SFyou
10	SFU Business Connection
11	BizBook
12	iHouse
13	SFUBusApp
15	SFUnite
16	BizMAPP
17	MySFUBiz
18	Business 101

Summer 2010 - "One Size Doesn't Fit All - Engineering for accessibility"

Group #	Apps / Website	Description	Demo
1	Scrollkey	Scrollkey is an alternative keyboard for those who have a dexterity impairment, or even those who find it difficult to use the standard iPhone keyboard. It allows you to copy typed text to the iPhone memory or to commonly used applications with the included shortcuts menu. The simplfied interface with large buttons help minimize errors during typing, which help create a more enjoyable and comfortable typing experience.
2	Reaction	Reaction is an integrated monitoring system built for physicians that can administer reaction time tests for dexterity-impaired patients. Designed for the medical field, these tests employ the principles of computerized testing of information processing. Testing can be done anywhere and results available to patients or physicians at any Internet accessible computer. Results are private and viewable only by the patient and their doctor via the monitoring system’s online database. Tests can also be performed in a non-invasive manner by implementing them in the format of a user-friendly game. Testing can now be fun!
3	iEasyTime	iEasyTime is a simplified time management iPhone, iPod touch and iPad application designed for people with visual and dexterity issues. Larger buttons, labels and colours customizability make this app perfect for those who find the standard clock difficult to use. The simple interface provides the user with ability to set alarms, view clocks, time activities and count down. iEasyTime is a one stop app for all your timely needs. Tracking time couldn't be easier.	Tutorial
5	EZplanner	EZplanner is a simple and easy-to-use scheduling application designed especially for the visually impaired. EZplanner makes it trouble free and painless to add, remove and edit events from your daily schedule. It features a highly customizable yet intuitive interface that is designed to accommodate the needs and issues of its user. It supports changeable fonts and backgrounds, text-to-speech, sound and vibration feedback, and Twitter support. With EZplanner, scheduling your day, week, or month or blogging important occasions will never get any easier than this.
6	EZNotes	EZNotes provides a new and unique way to type notes while featuring a fully functional notepad which allows users to save, edit and delete notes. EZNotes is designed to assist individuals with dexterity impairment or reduced visual acuity and users who experience difficulty using the default keyboard. Users create notes using a keyboard system that provides bigger keys to ensure greater accuracy and precision. In addition, users can send their notes as an email or SMS with the touch of a button.
7	eyeWeb - See the Web Today!	eyeWeb is a plain text Internet browser for the iPhone device. It allows users, with mild vision impairments, to customize the web browsing experience by choosing preferred text, link, and background colors as well as text size. Setting these preferences renders nearly every page exactly how it needs to be viewed for the best browsing experience possible. The eyeWeb Internet browser is an excellent choice for those with mild vision impairment and will making going online a positive experience wherever you and your iPhone are.
8	Memento	Memento is a personal portable memory aid for anyone who needs a little help with remembering. Whether you suffer from amnesia or just find yourself forgetting small details, Memento can help by keeping your memories at your fingertips. Take a Polaroid-like and record a voice description of whatever you want to remember. Later you can browse through your Memories by date or recover the ones made nearest to where you are now. You can also backup your Memories, in case you ever lose your iPhone. Simple in appearance and easy to use, Memento is suitable for users of all ages and abilities.
9	iMouth	The iMouth application is designed for people who have suddenly lost the ability to speak, or people who need to communicate with others via sign language. With a built in library you can translate the words you want to sign language or play the words as audio. If the phrases you need aren't available, you can download additional phrases from an iMouth server. Users can also contribute to the community by creating their own phrase packages and uploading them to a server for others to use.

Spring 2010 - Mobile Education

Group #	Apps / Website	Description	Demo
1	MathCraft	MathCraft, is intended to help students between grades 1-3 with math education in a fun and enjoyable way.
2	RecycleMe	RecycleMe is an educational tool to teach and encourage children to recycle. It contains two important sections; a sorting game and a recycling tool set.
3	MindBlaster	MindBlaster is an educational version of the classic asteroids game. Players are posed questions on an asteroid filled screen; one of the asteroids will be marked with the correct answer and others with incorrect answers or no information at all.
4	Zook	The purpose of this application is to teach and reinforce the fifth grade curriculum. This will be accomplished through an interactive game through questions about mathematics, vocabulary, spelling, science, and geography. The user will play the game as a child living in the town of Zook.
5	iExplore	iExplore: an educational program for the iPhone designed to help kids aged 6 to 9 learn about various outdoor settings in Vancouver, BC
6	A+Pet	A+Pet is a virtual pet simulator application designed for young children ages 6-8. The program integrates educational components, specifically intended to improve basic skills in mathematics: addition, subtraction and multiplication.
7	Sigma	Sigma is based on Tetris with a mathematical twist. It is an alternative study method for children learning their multiplication tables.
8	MathBuddy	MathBuddy consist of 3 mini games, one for counting, one for addition and one for subtraction.
9	MathMaster	Math Masters is a collection of mini-games designed to help grade 4-6 students build mathematics skills.
10	iPop	iPop is an educational application run on an iPhone, designed to improve the mathematical fundamentals of a child from kindergarten to Grade six. Knowledge of basic addition and subtraction (as well as multiplication and division at a more advanced level) is assumed.	Sorry, no match for the embedded content.
11	QuizMonkey	QuizMonkey is an interactive iPhone game designed to test a student’s grammar and spelling abilities at the 2nd or 3rd grade level. The game is played by answering a series of questions on the topic of spelling and grammar.
12	Phonetic Vocabulary Learner	Phonetic Vocabulary Learner is a learning application for children in grade two. It teaches everyday skills pertaining to phonetics and spelling.
13	Brain Racer	Brain racer is a new educational application for the iPhone/iPod Touch device, targeting grade three students (8-9 years old) to help them develop strong foundation skills and knowledge in grade 3 mathematics.

Fall 2009

Fall 2009 is the second offering of this course in using iPhone / iPod Touch as the main class project. The project topic is M-Learning (Mobile Learning). Special thanks to my TA Sebastian Schmidt, I could not have done this class without his help in solving many technical problems.

Also in this semester, the student in CMPT 275 worked together with student from BUS 338 - "Managing Technological Innovation" class in a collaboration team-based project. This project is called the SFU Innovation Challenge 2009. This joint project received financial and in-kind support from SFU’s University/Industry Liaison Office and TIME Ventures Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Hub. This is a new attempt in bringing together two diverse groups of students into making an iPhone application and the innovation roadmap to market. The project was a great success. Besides having a chance to win $1,000 award, the students from both classes learned a great deal about working in an interdisciplinary team in the process.

For more information, click here

Group #	Apps / Website	Description	Demo
1	Ensol	A Mobile Learning Platform
2	iGeo	iGeo is a geography quiz game for the iPhone/iPod Touch. With a touch of a finger, this application will enhance your geographical knowledge.
3	iSkool	iSkool is a learning supplement that allows users to take a break from traditional styles of learning by having fun, while still not losing sight of the knowledge that they are expected to attained.
4	Zerohm	Zerohm is an iPhone application designed to teach and encourage reinforcement of a fundamental electronics principle—identifying resistors and working with them in basic circuit configurations.	See here
6	iGradeBook and Self-Help Network	Classroom management system for elementary or high-school teachers. It brings all data into one central area and decreases time on paperwork.
7	CrazyMart	CrazyMart is a game designed to help student and those with an interest in running their own business to gain experiences through playing this game.
8	FlashFun	‘Flash Fun’ is a flash card creator and game application for the iPhone and iTouch devices, which is a digital alternative to the age old studying tool of flash cards.
9	iCompose	iCompose is a music composition software that allows user to quickly and easily preserve any melodies regardless of their location.
10	InfoCard	A Mobile Learning Platform
11	ChemBuddy	Through the use of a periodic table, ChemBuddy shows the detailed information about the chemical and also you can view the molecular structure as well.
12	Virtual Mechanics
13	LearnSomething	LearnSomething
14	iPiano Tutor	The iPiano Tutor allows the user to pick up the fundamentals of piano playing. User chooses the appropriate learning environment. Application is suitable for both beginner and intermediate skill levels.

Summer 2009

The following group projects were from taken from the Summer 2009 offering of "CMPT 275 - Software Engineering I". I am very proud of these students and in what they had accomplished. The important element to remember is not which technical details they had learned because these details will be history in a few years. In contrast, the difficulties and excitements in working in a software engineering team that they had experienced as part of this course will have a much long lasting effect and higher education value. As far as I know, this is the first university course in Canada that had incorporated developing an iPhone application.

Special thanks to my TA Denny C. Dai for his help in solving all the technical problems in this class!

Group #	Apps / Website	Description
1	“iCan” Scheduler	An application that provides an efficient schedule for people to adjust their tasks to meet their obligations. This software will allow users to receive greatest returns and overcome work overload.
2	“iClicky”	Application for the classroom
3	“Fish Alive!” http://www.playfishalive.com/ , watch the demo here	Fish Alive! is an addictive, yet simple strategy game exclusively for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
4	“iPromo”	This is a easy to navigate application that enables the customers to use and redeem the coupons of their favourite stores without loading their wallets with lots of papers and cards.
5	“SoundScape” http://www.sound-scape.ca/	Music visualization software
6	“Elements”, watch the trailer here	Elements is a puzzle game. In this game, the player can eliminate elements that are connected by a line. The player must consider the rules to eliminate elements as outlined by the “Element Elimination Rules”.
7	“iGraduate”	iGraduate is an application that meets the students' requirements for course planning.
8	“Decimated Wrek”	Decimated Wreck is a 3D multiplayer demolition derby game that utilizes ballistic projectiles.