integrating the computer science curriculum by reusing soccer simulation game vadim kyrylov, phd...
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Integrating the Computer Science Curriculum by Reusing Soccer Simulation Game
Vadim Kyrylov, PhDAssociate Professor
Sarkeys Endowed ChairSchool of Business & Technology
Rogers State UniversityClaremore, OK
Presented at Oklahoma Computing Conference. Langston University, Oklahoma City, March 04, 2011
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Outline
• Scope, Issues, Possible Answer• What Is Curriculum Integration?• Case Based Integration• Simulated Soccer Game as Learning Case• Opportunities for Reusing Tao of Soccer across
CS/IT/Game Curricula• Conclusion
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Scope
Upper-level courses in the undergraduate curriculum in
–Computer Science–Game Development and – Information Technology
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Issues
• What opportunities exist for the improvement of learning and instruction?
• How to improve student achievements?
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Possible Answer: Curriculum Integration
Integration ::= the unification of all subjects and experiences(as defined by National Council of Teachers of English (1935))
Proven way to enhancing student’s experience
Can be: •multidisciplinary – theme based learning across several disciplines•transdisciplinary – the curriculum is organized around student questions and concerns •interdisciplinary – the curriculum is organized around common learnings across disciplines•intradisciplinary – subdisciplines are integrated within a subject area
http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/103011/chapters/What-Is-Integrated-Curriculum%C2%A2.aspx
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Case Based Intradisciplinary Curriculum Integration
Sometimes is used in engineering schools
How about Computer Science?
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Simulated Soccer Game: a Case for CS and IT Curricula
• Reasonably sophisticated software system• Distributed system, different applications connected over
the network• Real time system• Some physics and much of trigonometry • Has elements of applied Artificial Intelligence – no limit for
the sophistication• Has elements of 3D Computer Graphics• Could be used as a massive multi-player game
– needs good human-computer interface and – is emotionally engaging
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RoboCup Soccer Simulator• RoboCup: international research and educational initiative• World and regional competitions since 1995• 2D and 3D versions• 200+ universities from 40+ countries• Great for advanced students (a team of dedicated MS and BS
students)
Cons: • Too long learning curve • No human controlled players – cannot be used as a game• 2D version lacks focus on quality image rendering• 3D version is mainly focused on human body locomotion – great for
engineering students; difficult for CS/IT
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Tao of Soccer (TOS)
• A simplified soccer simulator - open source project http://sourceforge.net/projects/soccer/
• Based exclusively on Java technology • Originally developed by Yu Zhan; substantially redesigned
by Vadim Kyrylov in 2003 for the educational purposes• Special features: – simplified player actions and physic – allows human player participation – 3D graphics – sky is the limit for the sophistication– Developer Toolkit provided (coming soon)
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TOS v.1.5: Architecture
In version 2, added Debugger(integrates all parts in one application)
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TOS v. 2 Toolkit
• Allows doing research in Game AI – great for student projects
• Includes several workbench Java applications for investigating:– ball interception – ball passing – player offensive positioning– player defensive positioning– duel situations
• Could be used as learning objects in some courses
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Courses Where TOS Could Be Used
•Game AI•Modeling and Simulation•Distributed Systems•Software Architecture•Systems Analysis
•Software Engineering•Multi-Agent Systems•Computer Graphics•Human-Computer Interaction•Capstone Project
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Courses Where TOS Could Be Used
Game AI • Modeling non-player character behavior• Exploring advanced methods such as multi-criteria
optimization and application of Game Theory
Modeling and Simulation• Provides good and easy understood source of
experimental data • Exploring and experimenting with soccer game physics
and player behavior models
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Courses Where TOS Could Be Used
Distributed Systems• Exploring the communication between applications
(server + up to 24 clients of two different types)• Experimenting with the communication quality
Software Architecture• Exploring the architecture (~120 Java classes) • Identifying design patterns and learning form them
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Courses Where TOS Could Be Used
Systems Analysis• Reverse engineering with the purpose of
requirements analysis
Software Engineering• Reverse engineering for documenting
software design (UML)• Using to learn software testing
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Courses Where TOS Could Be Used
Multi-Agent Systems• Illustrates key concepts of MAS
Human-Computer Interaction• Evaluating user interaction and experience as
massive multi-player game player
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Courses Where TOS Could Be Used
Computer Graphics • Sky is the limit
Capstone Project• Reverse
engineering project (up to 10-weeks)
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Conclusion
Using TOS in CS/IT/Game curricula as a case study may:
• create synergies in learning• saves time on introducing cases in different courses• creates opportunities for enhanced learning due to
the emotional engagement • create opportunities for getting undergraduate
students involved in research (RoboCup is just one step away)