Fwd: Time to propose a CS Capstone Project!

[jan i <ja...@apache.org>]

Hi.

Is this something for us ?  I had a capstone project (build system for
windows) last term, and had quite some fun with the students.

There should be enough projects within AOO to pick and choose from, the
client (the capstone name for people like us) however should be technically
skilled, the students need a lot of patience and sometimes information in
small doses.

I dont have time to run a project by myself (last year I was lucky to have
excellent help from Steve Hathaway who are not even in our project), but
might help out if others are interested.

rgds
jan I.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <dm...@eecs.oregonstate.edu>
Date: 4 August 2014 19:35
Subject: Time to propose a CS Capstone Project!
To: jani@apache.org



Colleagues --

Have you always wanted a particular software tool developed for your use,
but have never had the time
to do it yourself?  Well then, read on. Have I got a deal for you!

My name is Kevin McGrath.  I am the instructor who runs the OSU Computer
Science Senior Capstone class.
The Capstone class is a 3-quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring) "career
 preparation" experience. The major
piece of this is doing a significant 2-4 member team project.

When the students come to the first class on September 29, I want to
present them with a list of
exciting, creative, and real-experience software engineering project
possibilities.  This is where you
come in. I am looking for you to use your needs and experience to propose
those project possibilities.

A web site has been setup to give you more information, and let you enter
and edit your project
proposals:


http://classes.engr.oregonstate.edu/eecs/fall2013/ece441/addproject.php

You have until September 29 to get yours in.  That is the date the students
will see them, and will
start the selection process. In that process, I ask the students to "bid"
on their top 3 choices. I
ultimately make the final project assignments, but I try to take their
preferences into account.  I
find I get better results that way.

There will likely be more projects proposed than students teams to do them.
*So, really sell your
project.*  Definitely don't understate its cool-ness factor!

After projects have been selected, we will follow a client-contractor model
in which I "run" the software
contract company and you are one of our valued clients. The students
"report" to me, but you, as client,
work directly with them to design the requirements, set the timeline,
approve the progress.  You also get
to help assign grades.

Any project can be proposed from anybody.  I don't care where you are from,
just that your project
represents an excellent software engineering experience for the students.

Do remember, however, that these are seniors. They have taken the core
classes so far, but most have not
taken some of the electives that would really help in some projects, such
as graphics, AI, computer
vision, etc.  Keep that in mind when proposing.

If you have questions or want to discuss project possibilities, feel free
to contact me at:

                 D. Kevin McGrath
                 Instructor, Computer Science
                 Oregon State University
                 2109 Kelley Engineering Center
                 541-737-1420
                 dmcgrath@cs.oregonstate.edu

Thanks for your time -- I look forward to working with you!

                                                 -- Kevin McGrath

Re: Fwd: Time to propose a CS Capstone Project!

[jan i <ja...@apache.org>]

On 9 August 2014 23:23, Andrea Pescetti <pe...@apache.org> wrote:

> On 04/08/2014 jan i wrote:
>
>> Is this something for us ?  I had a capstone project (build system for
>> windows) last term, and had quite some fun with the students.
>>
>
> Since you were the only one to participate in the program so far, you
> probably have some useful additional information.
>
> For example (imagining that you had time instead) would you re-propose the
> project about build system? Was it too complex, too isolated, too...? I
> remember seeing some very welcome updates and wiki pages at the beginning,
> then I lost track. Did some code get committed at the end? Can you give an
> evaluation of your group of students (an overall evaluation, without
> discussion about individuals), and also estimate the effort required from
> you? With more information, maybe someone will show up.


I would not re-propose the build system, for a couple of reasons:
a) We have proven the a visual studio build system is possible, but the
community expressed doubt that a third build system is a good idea.
b) Even though quite a lot about the build system, its hard to mentor
student, without having active cooperation from other developers
c) It was basically not too complex, but it was a very hard job to split it
into pieces understandable by the students.

I have about 15 converted modules, and a script that can generate VC++
solutions. I have opted (until now) not to commit it, because its too
scattered for somebody else to build on.

The students are in their final year, and use this as a preparation to get
out in real life. The commitment and knowledge level of the students were
very different. The distance (portland USA - spain), did not offer a big
problem.

The initial efford was very high, I was so lucky to have a lot of help from
Steve H. (even though he is not at all involved in our project but in
XALAN-C). I think the two of us together used 2 days a week the first
couple of weeks to make VMs, build plan and help the students define the
project. After the initial round,  I used a couple of hours every week
(replying to email and having a google hangout).

A new project that builds on the one completed, would require a lot less
startup efford, and if someone volunteers then I will be happy to help.
Bear in mind any volunteer for that kind of project need to know how to
change our build system, not only use it. There are however plenty of other
possible themes.


>
>  There should be enough projects within AOO to pick and choose from
>>
>
> If you have some ideas of possible projects this could help in selecting.
> For example, a "Summer of code" project is for one student for 2-3 months.
> Here, if I understand correctly, one can tackle much bigger issues, and the
> expected workload is 2-4 students for 8 months, so this could be an
> occasion to get significant contributions.
>

I think the problem is not finding a project, but finding somebody willing
to be mentor. Lets not discuss project, before someone volunteers, then the
project should be made to fit the experience of that person.

Rgds
jan I.

>
> Regards,
>   Andrea.
>
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Re: Fwd: Time to propose a CS Capstone Project!

[Andrea Pescetti <pe...@apache.org>]

On 04/08/2014 jan i wrote:
> Is this something for us ?  I had a capstone project (build system for
> windows) last term, and had quite some fun with the students.

Since you were the only one to participate in the program so far, you 
probably have some useful additional information.

For example (imagining that you had time instead) would you re-propose 
the project about build system? Was it too complex, too isolated, 
too...? I remember seeing some very welcome updates and wiki pages at 
the beginning, then I lost track. Did some code get committed at the 
end? Can you give an evaluation of your group of students (an overall 
evaluation, without discussion about individuals), and also estimate the 
effort required from you? With more information, maybe someone will show up.

> There should be enough projects within AOO to pick and choose from

If you have some ideas of possible projects this could help in 
selecting. For example, a "Summer of code" project is for one student 
for 2-3 months. Here, if I understand correctly, one can tackle much 
bigger issues, and the expected workload is 2-4 students for 8 months, 
so this could be an occasion to get significant contributions.

Regards,
   Andrea.

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