! Mentor(s)
! Comments
|-
| Browsercast
| The goal of this project is to implement an HTML5+Javascript replacement for screencasting and integrate it with a composition tool. A prototype of the playback tool [https://github.com/tarmstrong/bcast-experiments is on GitHub] (see [http://third-bit.com/bcast/ this page for a demo and explanation] of why we want such a thing), and some useful experiments with composition tools have also been built (see [http://labs.toolness.com/temp/thimble-dzslides-spike/?notypekit=1 this page] for an example). The end result of this project will allow non-specialists to author an HTML5+Javascript slideshow using something like Thimble, add a voiceover, and create something that plays back in the browser (so that search engines and accessibility aids can "see" the content) with a fraction of the data download required by video.
| Javascript, HTML, CSS; experience with Popcorn and Thimble are useful but not essential.
| [https://mozillians.org/en-US/u/gvwilson/ Greg Wilson]
| [https://mozillians.org/en-US/u/gvwilson/ Greg Wilson]
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| Peer Instruction on the Web
| [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_instruction Peer instruction] (PI) is a teaching technique which alternates between instructor-led Q&A and peer discussion in small groups. It has been proven to [http://teaching.software-carpentry.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/porter-halving-fail-peer-instruction-2013.pdf reduce failure rates] in introductory programming classes (and many other courses), but is not directly supported by existing online learning platforms. The goal of this project is to use [http://www.webrtc.org/ WebRTC] to create a bimodal real-time voice-and-video chat system to support PI. Mode 1 is broadcast: the instructor transmits audio+video to a large class. Mode 2 is small-group discussion: learners are placed in an all-to-all chat in teams of 2-6. Crucially, the tool allows smooth switching between modes: the instructor can press a button to initiate the small-group discussion, then push another to give groups a 30-second warning, after which they are instantly pulled back into the main class. (See [http://software-carpentry.org/blog/2014/02/online-peer-instruction-tool.html this page] for more information.) Such a tool would be useful in other contexts, such as breakout groups for online meetings, but would primarily be intended to bring modern evidence-based teaching practices to web-based learning.
| WebRTC, Javascript, HTML, CSS, and something (Python, Ruby, JS) for building a simple back end to manage groups.
| [https://mozillians.org/en-US/u/gvwilson/ Greg Wilson]
| [https://mozillians.org/en-US/u/gvwilson/ Greg Wilson]
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