Page 9 - OIT Progress Report: 2023 Edition

courses, empowering students and faculty to conduct more comprehensive research and analysis of these particles.
In the Meadows School of the Arts, IoT innovation has led to new ways of visualizing, understanding, and acting upon data that would normally be a challenge to even collect. The IoT team developed a sophisticated array of cameras and motion sensors to capture information on the movement of ballroom dancers. Using this information, researchers then worked to develop mathematical
models for pairing dance
partners, ensuring that
their skills and physical
attributes complement
each other to
create compelling
performances in
ways not thought
possible before;
bringing what
was once thought
ephemeral into
the realm of data-
driven research.
This system also sets
the stage for a future
Physical Data Capture Lab,
which could be utilized to
measure the physical movements
of a subject without cumbersome sensors attached to the body, potentially measuring body movements to aid in the diagnosis of individuals with neurological disorders like Parkinson’s.
From Dedman College’s Department of Religious Studies, department chair and principal investigator Jill DeTemple embarked on discovering the benefits of using Reflective Structured Dialogue to enhance classroom
discussions and foster a welcoming, engaging learning environment that improves student communication skills and overall outcomes. Research Developer Guillermo Vasquez and User Interface Developer Mateo Langston Smith collaborated on a motion detection system that uses a ball passed around amongst students when speaking to visualize how class conversations develop and evolve during class time. Dr. DeTemple reports that she found what she was looking for in her research: “[The
Classroom Conversation Visualizer] shows what my research
team and I have long thought true. We
can make spaces where everyone is empowered
to speak, listen, and
learn. Thanks to SMU’S Internet of
Things team for creating the
tech that made this visualization
possible.”
All these developments, and more,
demonstrate OIT’s support for the research and pedagogical processes for everyone on The Hilltop. Our
resources are easily accessible, and our knowledgeable and committed staff are always ready to assist, further demonstrating SMU’s technological advantage. The only thing missing...
is your next idea.
AcAdEmIc TEchnOlOGy
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