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- Title
- A PROTOTYPE FOR NARRATIVE-BASED INTERACTIVITY IN THEME PARKS.
- Creator
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Kischuk, Kirsten, McDaniel, Rudy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this thesis is to look at the potential for interactive devices to enhance the story of future theme park attractions. The most common interactive theme park rides are about game-based interaction, competition, and scoring, rather than about story, character, and plot. Research into cognitive science, interactivity, narrative, immersion, user interface, theming and other fields of study illuminated some potentially useful guidelines for creating compelling experiences for park...
Show moreThe purpose of this thesis is to look at the potential for interactive devices to enhance the story of future theme park attractions. The most common interactive theme park rides are about game-based interaction, competition, and scoring, rather than about story, character, and plot. Research into cognitive science, interactivity, narrative, immersion, user interface, theming and other fields of study illuminated some potentially useful guidelines for creating compelling experiences for park guests. In order to test some of these ideas, an interactive device was constructed and tested with study subjects. Each study subject watched a video recording of an existing theme park ride while using the device, and then filled out a survey concerning their experience. The results revealed how subjects view character-driven interactive devices, how a device should be blended into a ride sequence, how subjects think interactivity and responsiveness should be structured in regards to themselves and the ride, and begins to hint at their motivations for using interactive devices.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002493, ucf:47689
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002493
- Title
- DIGITAL CONTROL OF HALF-BRIDGE DC-DC CONVERTERS WITH CURRENT DOUBLER RECTIFICATION.
- Creator
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Yao, Liangbin, Batarseh, Issa, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
DC-DC power converters play an important role in powering telecom and computing systems. Complex systems, including power electronics systems, are increasingly using digital controllers because of the major advancements in digital controllers and DSP as well as there ability to perform sophisticated and enhanced control schemes. In this thesis, the digital controller is investigated for DC-DC converters in high current low voltage applications. For an optimal design of a regulated DC-DC...
Show moreDC-DC power converters play an important role in powering telecom and computing systems. Complex systems, including power electronics systems, are increasingly using digital controllers because of the major advancements in digital controllers and DSP as well as there ability to perform sophisticated and enhanced control schemes. In this thesis, the digital controller is investigated for DC-DC converters in high current low voltage applications. For an optimal design of a regulated DC-DC converter, it is necessary to derive a valid model. The current doubler rectified half bridge (CDRHB) DC-DC converter is suitable for high current low voltage applications. In this thesis, the topology operations are analyzed and then the unified state space model, analog small signal model and digital small signal model are derived. Then the digital compensator design is discussed as well as the analog-digital converter (ADC) and the digital pulse-width-modulator (DPWM) design rules. In addition, voltage driving optimization is proposed for the benefit of the digital controller. Finally, experimental results based on the CDRHB are presented and analyzed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2005
- Identifier
- CFE0000706, ucf:46626
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000706
- Title
- THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH IN THE DIGITAL CINEMATIC SPACE AND GREEN SCREEN PERFORMANCES.
- Creator
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Dalton, Kade, Shults, Kate, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
With the advent of the blockbuster and its visual effects, film has grown to accept these effects and the technology behind them, namely green screen mattes, as cornerstones to the post-production process. The propensity of green screen in all types of productions, especially those involving actors and their performances, raises questions about the methodology and workflow behind its common practice. Using real-life environments and people to create narrative scenes, this project explores the...
Show moreWith the advent of the blockbuster and its visual effects, film has grown to accept these effects and the technology behind them, namely green screen mattes, as cornerstones to the post-production process. The propensity of green screen in all types of productions, especially those involving actors and their performances, raises questions about the methodology and workflow behind its common practice. Using real-life environments and people to create narrative scenes, this project explores the utilization of matte backgrounds to inform the rehearsal and performance aspects of cinematic story-telling.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004714, ucf:45409
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004714
- Title
- A STUDY OF DIGITAL COMMUNICATION TOOLS USED IN ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL COURSES.
- Creator
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Putney, Nathan, Gunter, Glenda, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which selected communication tools used by teachers who teach online are positively perceived by their students in improving feelings of self-efficacy and motivation, and which tools may be perceived to be significantly more effective than the others. Students from the Florida Virtual School, a leader in online course delivery for grades 6-12, were surveyed to find their perceptions about how their teachers' use of email, Instant...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which selected communication tools used by teachers who teach online are positively perceived by their students in improving feelings of self-efficacy and motivation, and which tools may be perceived to be significantly more effective than the others. Students from the Florida Virtual School, a leader in online course delivery for grades 6-12, were surveyed to find their perceptions about how their teachers' use of email, Instant Messaging, chat, the telephone, discussion area, whiteboard, and assignment feedback affected their motivation and success in an online high school course. Correlations were done to discover if there were any significant relationships between variables that relate to teacher interaction and motivation. In addition, distributions of student responses to survey questions about digital communication tools and demographics were examined. It was found that there is a high degree of correlation between frequency of teachers' use of digital communication tools and student's perception of their level of motivation. It was also found that the digital communication tools most frequently used by teachers in communicating with their students were email, the telephone, and assignment feedback, and that the students found these same tools the most helpful in their learning. In addition, no significant demographic differences were found in students' perception of teacher's use of tools to enhance learning and motivation in their courses except in the number of previous online courses taken. These findings can help direct online high school teachers in their selection of digital tools used to communicate with their students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002333, ucf:47784
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002333
- Title
- Internet Reading and Learning in a Guided Reading Context.
- Creator
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Van Allen, Jennifer, Zygouris-Coe, Vassiliki, Boote, David, Damico, Nicole, Vitale, Thomas, Butler, Lorrie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Many employers are calling for high school graduates who are equipped with skills to research, manage, and process information from multiple sources and communicate effectively to others through a variety of sources. Yet, students are not being appropriately prepared with online research and comprehension skills in schools today. A major factor impacting this problem is that teachers do not possess the knowledge and skills to effectively address online research and comprehension skills in the...
Show moreMany employers are calling for high school graduates who are equipped with skills to research, manage, and process information from multiple sources and communicate effectively to others through a variety of sources. Yet, students are not being appropriately prepared with online research and comprehension skills in schools today. A major factor impacting this problem is that teachers do not possess the knowledge and skills to effectively address online research and comprehension skills in the intermediate grades. This dissertation in practice proposes a solution to this problem of practice through the design of an educative curriculum that introduces online research and comprehension skills to upper elementary students. It also provides teachers with necessary knowledge to aid their pedagogical design capacity throughout the curriculum. Prior to the development of the curriculum, a case study was conducted to determine how a fourth-grade teacher integrates digital tools during guided reading lessons to support students' development of online research and comprehension skills. The results showed that the implementation was challenging and resulted in role changes for both the teacher and students. These findings supported the design choices of the base curriculum for students, set within the guided reading framework, and educative features to support teachers.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006702, ucf:51909
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006702
- Title
- Narrative Transportation and Virtual Reality: Exploring the Immersive Qualities of Social Justice in the Digital World.
- Creator
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Raffel, Sara, McDaniel, Rudy, Jones, Natasha, Salter, Anastasia, Rettberg, Jill, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This dissertation explores the potential applications for virtual reality (VR) stories in support of social justice causes, examining whether digital games historically been successfully leveraged for social justice purposes, and determining which components of VR technology can most encourage narrative transportation of participants in VR stories.The first chapter examines theories of simulation, virtual reality, narrative, and interactivity, as well as concepts of immersion from various...
Show moreThis dissertation explores the potential applications for virtual reality (VR) stories in support of social justice causes, examining whether digital games historically been successfully leveraged for social justice purposes, and determining which components of VR technology can most encourage narrative transportation of participants in VR stories.The first chapter examines theories of simulation, virtual reality, narrative, and interactivity, as well as concepts of immersion from various disciplines and settles on narrative transportation, a theory from cognitive psychology, as the most useful in measuring the effect of VR stories on participants.The second chapter examines ethnographic practices, activist games, and modes of reclaiming digital spaces as a way to encourage digital social justice and ensure traditionally marginalized communities have meaningful access to technology(-)or, the tools to use it, create with it, and critique it.The third chapter presents the result of a play study conducted to measure participants' transportation in a recent VR narrative and finds VR interactive narratives to be more transportive and engaging than their two-dimensional counterparts.The fourth chapter interrogates some of the fears of VR technology, namely that it will be used to further current societal injustices and as a potentially powerful propaganda tool.The final chapter presents five recommendations for designers seeking to experiment in virtual reality narratives. The ultimate aim of this work is to encourage scholars, designers, and participants to make ethical decisions in the creation and use of virtual societies.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007080, ucf:52015
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007080
- Title
- Whatever Happened to Blackwater RD.?: A Visual Documentary Concerning Achievement in the Face of Failure.
- Creator
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Stephenson, Michael, Stoeckl, Ula, Sandler, Barry, Shults, Katherine, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Whatever happened to Blackwater RD.? is a feature length documentary thesis film created and cultivated by Michael E. Stephenson to fulfill the requirements of the Master of Fine Arts degree in Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema while attending the University of Central Florida. Whatever happened to Blackwater RD.? has met these criteria of the School of Visual Arts and Design, in the College of Arts and Humanities, by being a feature length digital film with a budget no larger than $50,000. This...
Show moreWhatever happened to Blackwater RD.? is a feature length documentary thesis film created and cultivated by Michael E. Stephenson to fulfill the requirements of the Master of Fine Arts degree in Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema while attending the University of Central Florida. Whatever happened to Blackwater RD.? has met these criteria of the School of Visual Arts and Design, in the College of Arts and Humanities, by being a feature length digital film with a budget no larger than $50,000. This film is the efforts of the filmmaker to trace the failure of his original narrative thesis film Blackwater RD., attempting to discover where everything went wrong while trying to recover from such a crushing defeat. Assembled from behind the scene videos and interviews, this film represents a collected effort to discover a way to make digital cinema from multiple sources, ranging from digital cameras to smartphones, while still crafting a singular vision. Digital cinema allows for films to be made in a collage-like effort to explore how narrative can be manipulated and how a director may steer it, even in the documentary field. Through the exploration of his own failings the filmmaker has discovered perhaps the most important lesson of both academia and film: failure is always an option. To fail is a life worthy experience that one should learn from and utilize in accomplishing future tasks.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007104, ucf:51950
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007104
- Title
- A Model-Based Approach to Mobile Learning and Digital Literacy.
- Creator
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Ramsey, Zena, Gunter, Glenda, Kaplan, Jeffrey, Hartshorne, Richard, Coggins, Patrick, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this research study was to 1) explore models of technology implementation programs and professional development interventions that promote the successful integration of mobile devices (iPads) in a small elementary school in a large Central Florida school district, and 2) identify the needs of the instructional staff to design a professional development intervention to meet these needs. This school will be referred to as School A.In the U.S., the ownership of mobile devices,...
Show moreThe purpose of this research study was to 1) explore models of technology implementation programs and professional development interventions that promote the successful integration of mobile devices (iPads) in a small elementary school in a large Central Florida school district, and 2) identify the needs of the instructional staff to design a professional development intervention to meet these needs. This school will be referred to as School A.In the U.S., the ownership of mobile devices, such as iPads is on the rise. For example, 88% of American teenagers between ages 13 and 17 have access to a mobile phone, and 73% of teenagers have a smartphone (Pew Research Center, 2015). This has increased from 2013, when 78% of teenagers ages 12-17 had a cell phone, 47% of which were smartphones (Pew Research Center, 2013). Also, 58% of teens in this age group have a tablet (Pew Research Center, 2015). These devices, over other devices such as desktop computers, are becoming more commonly used to access the Internet (Pew Research Internet Project, 2014). This rise in mobile device ownership and usage by students and young adults in their daily lives has prompted educators to look toward mobile devices as potential educational tools to engage students (Herro, Kiger, (&) Owens, 2013). Developments in mobile technology have made these devices more accessible and versatile with Wi-Fi capabilities and a variety of applications (Wu et al., 2012).In this research study, a case study design using mixed methods was used to identify problems that exist in teachers' using and integrating iPads and to suggest solutions. The mixed-method data collection incorporated elements of qualitative research through a case study and elements of quantitative analysis through the use of descriptive statistics. An iPad survey was developed by the researcher and used to gather qualitative data at School A regarding teacher perceptions and experiences related to integrating iPads into classroom instruction. The sample population (n = 15) consisted of classroom teachers, support teachers, and academic coaches. The total population of teachers at School A was 34. Teacher responses were analyzed for common emergent themes as well as through the use of descriptive statistics consistent with data analysis methods for case study research (Cresswell, 2006). Additional qualitative data was gathered through the review of documents related to School A's iPad initiative and observational data regarding teacher training, and the applications loaded and used on the iPads were gathered via the researcher's role as the Apple Program Facilitator. Demographic data was also collected via the iPad survey and analyzed using descriptive statistics.The results revealed that 23% percent of teacher respondents were not currently integrating iPads into their classroom instruction, whereas 73% of teacher respondents reported that they were. Common instructional activities and strategies implemented via iPads included small group instruction, assessment, research, and projects. Additionally, it was found that 53% of the teacher respondents expressed interest in face-to-face (F2F) or Web-based professional development (PD) sessions, which included both users and non-users of the iPads. Further research should be conducted regarding how to best maximize teacher involvement in PD designed to train them how to effectively integrate iPads into their classroom instruction, and how to evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile device PD program, once in place, with respect to how classroom instruction is enhanced through the integration of the iPads and the impact on student learning.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006700, ucf:51910
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006700
- Title
- Using Hashtags to Disambiguate Aboutness in Social Media Discourse: A Case Study of #OrlandoStrong.
- Creator
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DeArmas, Nicholas, Vie, Stephanie, Salter, Anastasia, Beever, Jonathan, Dodd, Melissa, Wheeler, Stephanie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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While the field of writing studies has studied digital writing as a response to multiple calls for more research on digital forms of writing, research on hashtags has yet to build bridges between different disciplines' approaches to studying the uses and effects of hashtags. This dissertation builds that bridge in its interdisciplinary approach to the study of hashtags by focusing on how hashtags can be fully appreciated at the intersection of the fields of information research, linguistics,...
Show moreWhile the field of writing studies has studied digital writing as a response to multiple calls for more research on digital forms of writing, research on hashtags has yet to build bridges between different disciplines' approaches to studying the uses and effects of hashtags. This dissertation builds that bridge in its interdisciplinary approach to the study of hashtags by focusing on how hashtags can be fully appreciated at the intersection of the fields of information research, linguistics, rhetoric, ethics, writing studies, new media studies, and discourse studies. Hashtags are writing innovations that perform unique digital functions rhetorically while still hearkening back to functions of both print and oral rhetorical traditions. Hashtags function linguistically as indicators of semantic meaning; additionally, hashtags also perform the role of search queries on social media, retrieving texts that include the same hashtag. Information researchers refer to the relationship between a search query and its results using the term (")aboutness(") (Kehoe and Gee, 2011). By considering how hashtags have an aboutness, the humanities can call upon information research to better understand the digital aspects of the hashtag's search function. Especially when hashtags are used to organize discourse, aboutness has an effect on how a discourse community's agendas and goals are expressed, as well as framing what is relevant and irrelevant to the discourse. As digital activists increasingly use hashtags to organize and circulate the goals of their discourse communities, knowledge of ethical strategies for hashtag use will help to better preserve a relevant aboutness for their discourse while enabling them to better leverage their hashtag for circulation. In this dissertation, through a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the Twitter discourse that used #OrlandoStrong over the five-month period before the first anniversary of the Pulse shooting, I trace how the #OrlandoStrong discourse community used innovative rhetorical strategies to combat irrelevant content from ambiguating their discourse space. In Chapter One, I acknowledge the call from scholars to study digital tools and briefly describe the history of the Pulse shooting, reflecting on non-digital texts that employed #OrlandoStrong as memorials in the Orlando area. In Chapter Two, I focus on the literature surrounding hashtags, discourse, aboutness, intertextuality, hashtag activism, and informational compositions. In Chapter Three, I provide an overview of the stages of grounded theory methodology and the implications of critical discourse analysis before I detail how I approached the collection, coding, and analysis of the #OrlandoStrong Tweets I studied. The results of my study are reported in Chapter Four, offering examples of Tweets that were important to understanding how the discourse space became ambiguous through the use of hashtags. In Chapter Five, I reflect on ethical approaches to understanding the consequences of hashtag use, and then I offer an ethical recommendation for hashtag use by hashtag activists. I conclude Chapter Five with an example of a classroom activity that allows students to use hashtags to better understand the relationship between aboutness, (dis)ambiguation, discourse communities, and ethics. This classroom activity is provided with the hope that instructors from different disciplines will be able to provide ethical recommendations to future activists who may benefit from these rhetorical strategies.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007322, ucf:52136
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007322
- Title
- Printable Carbon Nanotube Based Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Strain Sensing and Self-heating.
- Creator
-
Wang, Xin, Gou, Jihua, Challapalli, Suryanarayana, Xu, Yunjun, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The unique properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) represent a potential for developing a piezo-resistive strain sensor and a resistive heating sheet with a smart structure. Conventional fabrication techniques of CNT based nanocomposites such as molding, casting or spray coating lack the ability to control the geometry and properties of fabricated composites. In order to meet the various requirements of strain sensing or self-heating applications, nanocomposites with complex geometry and...
Show moreThe unique properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) represent a potential for developing a piezo-resistive strain sensor and a resistive heating sheet with a smart structure. Conventional fabrication techniques of CNT based nanocomposites such as molding, casting or spray coating lack the ability to control the geometry and properties of fabricated composites. In order to meet the various requirements of strain sensing or self-heating applications, nanocomposites with complex geometry and controllable properties are in high demand. Digital printing technique is able to fabricate CNT films with precisely controlled geometry with the help of computer aided design, and their properties could also be controlled by adjusting the printing parameters. The objective of this study is to investigate the printing-structure-property relationship of CNT based multifunctional nanocomposites fabricated by digitally controlled spray deposition process for strain sensing and self-heating. A spray deposition modeling (SDM) printer that uses a 12-array inkjet nozzle attached to an x-y plotter was developed for the fabrication of CNT layers. Most of previously-reported CNT based nanocomposite strain sensors only have limited stretchability and sensitivity for measuring diverse human motions. Additionally, strain sensors fabricated by traditional techniques are only capable of measuring strain in a single direction, but for monitoring human motion with complicated strain condition, strain sensors that can measure strain from multi-direction are favorable. In this dissertation, highly stretchable (in excess of 45% strain) and sensitive (gauge factor of 35.75) strain sensors with tunable strain gauge factors were fabricated by incorporating CNT layers into polymer substrate using SDM printing technique. The cyclic loading-unloading test results revealed that the composite strain sensors exhibited excellent long-term durability. Due to the flexibility of the printing technique, rosette-typed sensors were fabricated to monitor complicated human motions. These superior sensing capabilities of the fabricated nanocomposites offer potential applications in wearable strain sensors. Resistive heating properties of CNT based nanocomposites were also investigated. The electrically resistive heating of these composites can be a desirable stimulus to activate the shape memory effect of polymer matrix. CNT based nanocomposites fabricated by traditional techniques showed a slow heating rate and same shape recovery ratio at different locations in nanocomposites. However, from the practical applications like smart skin or smart tooling perspective, programmable shape recovery ratio at specified locations are desirable. In this dissertation, the CNT based nanocomposites with a fast heating rate and controllable maximum surface temperature were fabricated using SDM technique. The study on the shape memory effect of nanocomposites showed that their shape recoverability was approximately 100% taking 30s under a low voltage of 40V. It is worth noting that through programming the number of printed CNT layers at different locations, the shape recovery rate could be controlled and localized actuation with the desired recovery ratio was achieved. The high efficiency of heating coupling with wide adjustability of surface temperature and shape recovery ratio at specified locations make the fabricated nanocomposites a promising candidate for electrical actuation applications.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006819, ucf:52892
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006819
- Title
- PERCEPTIONS OF REALITY.
- Creator
-
Dombrowski, Matthew, Hall, Scott, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
My thesis explores the relationship between the human psyche and the perception of reality through the use of computer generated media. In a society in which we are bombarded with multimedia technology, we must look inside our selves for a true understanding of our past and memories. Rather than it acting as an escape from reality, my art becomes an opening for truth in reality.
- Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- CFE0002103, ucf:52847
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002103
- Title
- The Last Two Years of David Brachman - The Case For Slow Cinema as a Microbudget Production Model.
- Creator
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Casilli, Marcos, Stoeckl, Ula, Schlow, Stephen, Harris, Christopher, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The Last Two Years of David Brachman is a feature-length digital film directed, written and produced by Marcos Casilli in pursuit of the Master of Fine Arts in Film (&) Digital Media from the University of Central Florida. This is a very personal film that presents a sometimes-humorous approach to the following question: what makes life worth living? The film was made on what is categorized as a microbudget, but following the studio production model for the most part. This thesis presents a...
Show moreThe Last Two Years of David Brachman is a feature-length digital film directed, written and produced by Marcos Casilli in pursuit of the Master of Fine Arts in Film (&) Digital Media from the University of Central Florida. This is a very personal film that presents a sometimes-humorous approach to the following question: what makes life worth living? The film was made on what is categorized as a microbudget, but following the studio production model for the most part. This thesis presents a critique of that combination, advocating for a (")slow cinema(") model instead.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0004081, ucf:49130
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004081
- Title
- The Influence of Choice in Manipulatives on Second Grade Students' Attitudes, Achievement, and Explanations of Two-Digit Addition Concepts.
- Creator
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Siegel, Aryn, Andreasen, Janet, Dieker, Lisa, Dixon, Juli, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to improve my teaching practice, as well as my second grade students' success with two-digit addition concepts, by allowing them to choose the manipulative tools to explore problems and justify solutions. I examined how allowing my students this choice influenced their attitudes, achievement, and explanations of their thought processes. I found that allowing students to choose their own manipulatives had positive influences in all three areas. Pre- and post-test...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to improve my teaching practice, as well as my second grade students' success with two-digit addition concepts, by allowing them to choose the manipulative tools to explore problems and justify solutions. I examined how allowing my students this choice influenced their attitudes, achievement, and explanations of their thought processes. I found that allowing students to choose their own manipulatives had positive influences in all three areas. Pre- and post-test results showed an overall shift toward more positive mathematics attitudes, as well as increased academic achievement with two-digit addition concepts. Students also demonstrated changes in the ways they used the manipulatives, as well as how they explained their solutions to two-digit addition problems.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004267, ucf:49540
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004267
- Title
- DIGITAL RESEARCH CYCLES: HOW ATTITUDES TOWARD CONTENT, CULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY AFFECT WEB DEVELOPMENT.
- Creator
-
Scott, Edward, Saper, Craig, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
It has been estimated that one third of the world's population does not have access to "adequate" health care. Some 1.6 billion people live in countries experiencing "concentrated" acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemics. Many countries in Africa -- and other low-income countries -- are in dire need of help providing adequate health care services to their citizens. They require more hands-on care from Western health workers -- and training so more African health workers can...
Show moreIt has been estimated that one third of the world's population does not have access to "adequate" health care. Some 1.6 billion people live in countries experiencing "concentrated" acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemics. Many countries in Africa -- and other low-income countries -- are in dire need of help providing adequate health care services to their citizens. They require more hands-on care from Western health workers -- and training so more African health workers can eventually care for their own citizens. But these countries also need assistance acquiring and implementing both texts -- the body of medical information potentially available to them -- and technology -- the means by which that information can be conveyed. This dissertation looks at these issues and others from a multi-faceted approach. It combines a survey of the developers of Web sites designed for use by health workers in low-income countries and a proposal for a novel approach to communication theory, which could help improve health communication and other social marketing practices. It also includes an extensive review of literature regarding a number of topics related to these issues. To improve healthcare services in low-income countries, several things should occur. First, more health workers -- and others -- could visit African countries and other places to provide free, hands-on medical care, as this researcher's group did in Uganda. Such trips are ideal occasions for studying the cultural differences between "mzungu" (white man) and the Ugandan people. A number of useful medical texts have been written for health workers in low-income countries. Others will be published as new health information becomes available. But on what medium will they be published? Computers? Personal digital assistants? During the past 10 years the Internet became an ideal venue for conveying information. Unfortunately, people in target countries such as Uganda encounter cultural differences when such new technologies are diffused. This dissertation looks at cultural and technological difficulties encountered by people in low-income countries who attempt to diffuse information and communication technologies (ICT). Once a technology has been successfully adopted, someone will look for ways to use it to help others. There are hundreds of sites on the Internet -- built by Web developers in Western countries -- that are designed for use by health workers in low-income countries. However, these Web developers also experience cultural and technological differences, based on their knowledge of and attitudes toward best practices in their field. This research includes a survey of Web developers which determined their attitudes toward best practices in their field and tested this researcher's hypothesis that there is no significant difference among the developers' attitudes toward the content on their sites, their audience's cultural needs and the various technological needs their audience has. It was found that the Web developers agree with 17 of 18 perceived best practices and that there is a significant difference between Web developers' attitudes toward their audience's technological needs and their attitudes toward quality content and the audience's cultural needs. Creation of the survey herein resulted in this researcher generating a new way of thinking about communication theory -- called digital research cycles. The survey was based on a review of literature and is rooted in the belief that any successful communication of a computer-mediated message in the information age is a behavior which is influenced by the senders' and receivers' attitudes and knowledge about textual style, the audience, technology and the subject matter to which the message pertains.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002637, ucf:48218
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002637
- Title
- BAD PIXELS: CHALLENGES OF MICROBUDGET DIGITAL CINEMA.
- Creator
-
Bowser, Alexander, Stoeckl, Ula, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Bad Pixels is a feature-length, microbudget, digital motion picture, produced, written, and directed by Alexander Jon Bowser as part of the requirements for earning a Master of Fine Arts in Film & Digital Media from the University of Central Florida. The materials contained herein serve as a record of the microbudget filmmaking experience. This thesis documents the challenges confronted by a first-time feature filmmaker; an evaluation of both the theory and application of a dynamic...
Show moreBad Pixels is a feature-length, microbudget, digital motion picture, produced, written, and directed by Alexander Jon Bowser as part of the requirements for earning a Master of Fine Arts in Film & Digital Media from the University of Central Florida. The materials contained herein serve as a record of the microbudget filmmaking experience. This thesis documents the challenges confronted by a first-time feature filmmaker; an evaluation of both the theory and application of a dynamic microbudget approach to digital content creation. From script development to digital distribution, the thesis aims to reflect on technical and procedural decisions made and assess their impact on the overall experience and final product.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0003729, ucf:48767
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003729
- Title
- The Modern Church Communicates: Rhetoric and Hypertext in Church Website Design.
- Creator
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Palmer, Edward, Applen, John, Jones, Dan, Stephens, Sonia, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The Internet and the World Wide Web have supplanted many paper-based information systems. People turn to the web to locate local services in the same way they find ecommerce sites such as Amazon. Churches of all sizes must develop effective and attractive websites to attract new members and inform existing members. These two groups form distinct audiences that must be correctly targeted by the website content. Other churches may visit to gather ideas for their programs; they are a third group...
Show moreThe Internet and the World Wide Web have supplanted many paper-based information systems. People turn to the web to locate local services in the same way they find ecommerce sites such as Amazon. Churches of all sizes must develop effective and attractive websites to attract new members and inform existing members. These two groups form distinct audiences that must be correctly targeted by the website content. Other churches may visit to gather ideas for their programs; they are a third group of site visitors. Organization of hypertext on the web requires skills that are different than writing for print. Technical communicators possess those skills and can help others write better hypertext. This research examines eight churches that cross three categories: denomination, size, and location. The websites of the churches are analyzed from the standpoint of the reader and the technical communicator to determine their effectiveness in content, organization, and underlying structure of the webpages, and then consider if geography, size, or denomination account for the observed differences. Audience and message are lesser issues than organization of information and navigational guidance for the reader. No remarkable differences were observed based on size, geography, or denomination. The technical communicator can assist non-technical content producers in developing skills in organization and classification.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006635, ucf:51218
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006635
- Title
- Interior: A Micro-Budget Horror Feature.
- Creator
-
Beckler, Zachary, Harris, Christopher, Sandler, Barry, Gay, Andrew, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
INTERIOR is a feature-length film written, directed, and produced by Zachary Beckler as part of the requirements for earning a Master of Fine Arts in Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema from the University of Central Florida. The project aims to challenge existing conventions of the horror film on multiple levels (-) aesthetic, narrative, technical, and industrial (-) while also examining growing importance of workflow throughout all aspects of production. These challenges were both facilitated...
Show moreINTERIOR is a feature-length film written, directed, and produced by Zachary Beckler as part of the requirements for earning a Master of Fine Arts in Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema from the University of Central Florida. The project aims to challenge existing conventions of the horror film on multiple levels (-) aesthetic, narrative, technical, and industrial (-) while also examining growing importance of workflow throughout all aspects of production. These challenges were both facilitated and necessitated by the limited resources available to the production team and the academic context of the production. This thesis is a record of the film, from concept to completion and preparation for delivery to an audience.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005130, ucf:50677
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005130
- Title
- A Comparison of the Academic Achievement of English Learners and Non-English Learners in Digital and Non-Digital Learning Environments.
- Creator
-
Vela, Enrique, Taylor, Rosemarye, Baldwin, Lee, Doherty, Walter, Nutta, Joyce, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of this study was to identify the extent to which learning in a digital school environment impacts the reading and mathematics achievement of English learners (ELs) in elementary and secondary school settings. In addition, this study intended to determine the extent, if any, that learning in a digital school environment narrows the achievement gap in reading and mathematics between ELs and their non-EL counterparts in elementary and secondary schools. Based on data collected from...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to identify the extent to which learning in a digital school environment impacts the reading and mathematics achievement of English learners (ELs) in elementary and secondary school settings. In addition, this study intended to determine the extent, if any, that learning in a digital school environment narrows the achievement gap in reading and mathematics between ELs and their non-EL counterparts in elementary and secondary schools. Based on data collected from the first year of a 1:1 digital pilot implementation in a large urban school district in Florida, the results of this study identified grade levels and school levels where the 2014 Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) 2.0 Reading and Mathematics Developmental Scale Scores (DSS) of ELs in digital school settings were significantly higher than in non-digital school settings. In addition, the study yielded some statistically significant differences in the learning gains in DSS of the 2014 FCAT 2.0 Reading and Mathematics of ELs and non-ELs in digital school settings. These findings may be used to inform the planning of technology integration, academic interventions, and teacher preparation that focuses on the academic improvement of ELs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006410, ucf:51455
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006410
- Title
- The Mechanical Response and Parametric Optimization of Ankle-Foot Devices.
- Creator
-
Smith, Kevin, Gordon, Ali, Kassab, Alain, Bai, Yuanli, Pabian, Patrick, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
To improve the mobility of lower limb amputees, many modern prosthetic ankle-foot devices utilize a so called energy storing and return (ESAR) design. This allows for elastically stored energy to be returned to the gait cycle as forward propulsion. While ESAR type feet have been well accepted by the prosthetic community, the design and selection of a prosthetic device for a specific individual is often based on clinical feedback rather than engineering design. This is due to an incomplete...
Show moreTo improve the mobility of lower limb amputees, many modern prosthetic ankle-foot devices utilize a so called energy storing and return (ESAR) design. This allows for elastically stored energy to be returned to the gait cycle as forward propulsion. While ESAR type feet have been well accepted by the prosthetic community, the design and selection of a prosthetic device for a specific individual is often based on clinical feedback rather than engineering design. This is due to an incomplete understanding of the role of prosthetic design characteristics (e.g. stiffness, roll-over shape, etc.) have on the gait pattern of an individual. Therefore, the focus of this work has been to establish a better understanding of the design characteristics of existing prosthetic devices through mechanical testing and the development of a prototype prosthetic foot that has been numerically optimized for a specific gait pattern. The component stiffness, viscous properties, and energy return of commonly prescribed carbon fiber ESAR type feet were evaluated through compression testing with digital image correlation at select loading angles following the idealized gait from the ISO 22675 standard for fatigue testing. A representative model was developed to predict the stress within each of the tested components during loading and to optimize the design for a target loading response through parametric finite element analysis. This design optimization approach, along with rapid prototyping technologies, will allow clinicians to better identify the role the design characteristics of the foot have on an amputee's biomechanics during future gait analysis.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006397, ucf:51502
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006397
- Title
- The Weight of Words: Collecting and Visualizing Data from Twitter.
- Creator
-
McSwain, Daniel, Adams, JoAnne, Salter, Anastasia, Kovach, Keith, Smith, Peter, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The Weight of Words is a web-based artwork designed to capture snapshots of Twitter discussions concerning the most popular topics of the day. The growth of social media in recent years has led to a sharp increase in thought and opinion sharing among the vocal population on the Internet. Twitter's use of trending topics allows users to be aware, and be a part of fun or silly stories as well as important news headlines and social movements. The Weight of Words is an exploration into using...
Show moreThe Weight of Words is a web-based artwork designed to capture snapshots of Twitter discussions concerning the most popular topics of the day. The growth of social media in recent years has led to a sharp increase in thought and opinion sharing among the vocal population on the Internet. Twitter's use of trending topics allows users to be aware, and be a part of fun or silly stories as well as important news headlines and social movements. The Weight of Words is an exploration into using Twitter's always changing landscape of conversation to generate graphic visualizations based on the most frequently used words at the time. This thesis includes a discussion regarding design considerations, application architecture, and data mining, as well as an examination of data visualization, social media, and human behavior. Through the construction of these visualizations I aim to provide a unique opportunity to discover patterns and trends from the popular topics of that current day. By providing viewers of this work with a unique perspective, I hope to encourage reflection and discussion of the current state of our culture's behavior and values.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006479, ucf:51422
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006479
