Nick Weldin

Bio: Nick Weldin is an academic researcher from Middlesex University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Interface (computing) & Physical computing. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 4 publications receiving 89 citations.

A Racket-Based Robot to Teach First-Year Computer Science

Abstract: A novel approach to teaching Computer Science has been developed for the academic year 2013/14 at Middlesex University, UK. The whole first year is taught in an holistic fashion, with programming at the core, using a number of practical projects to support learning and inspire the students. The Lisp derivative, Racket, has been chosen as the main programming language for the year. An important feature of the approach is the use of physical computing so that the students are not always working “through the screen”, but can experience physical manifestations of behaviours resulting from programs. In this paper we describe the MIddlesex Robotic plaTfOrm (MIRTO), an open-source platform built using Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and with Racket as the core coordination mechanism. We describe the architecture of the platform and how it can be used to support teaching of core Computer Science topics, we describe our teaching and assessment strategies, we present students’ projects and we provide a preliminary evaluation of our approach.

Interactive sensory objects for improving access to heritage

Abstract: In this project we explore how to enhance the experience and understanding of cultural heritage in museums and heritage sites by creating interactive multisensory objects collaboratively with artists, technologists and people with learning disabilities. We focus here on workshops conducted during the first year of a three year project in which people with learning disabilities each constructed a 'sensory box' to represent their experiences of Speke Hall, a heritage site in the UK. The box is developed further in later workshops which explore aspects of physicality and how to appeal to the entire range of senses, making use of Arduino technology and basic sensors to enable an interactive user experience.

MIRTO: an Open-Source Robotic Platform for Education

Abstract: This paper introduces the Middlesex RoboTic platfOrm (MIRTO), an open-source platform that has been used for teaching First Year Computer Science students since the academic year 2013/2014, with the aim of providing a physical manifestation of Software Engineering concepts that are often delivered using only abstract or synthetic case studies. In this paper we provide a detailed description of the platform, whose hardware specifications and software libraries are all released open source; we describe a number of teaching usages of the platform, report students' projects, and evaluate some of its aspects in terms of effectiveness, usability, and maintenance.