Social Media Integration in Video Games: A Social Overlay for Desktop Games

Simp��sio de Inform��tica (INForum 2015), Covilh��, Portugal. Notes: Best paper award nominee.

Ensino direto da matem��tica funcional: estudo de caso

Neste estudo, focado na aprendizagem do manuseio do dinheiro, pretendeu-se que os alunos adquirissem compet��ncias que os habilitasse a um maior grau de independ��ncia e participa����o na vida em sociedade, desempenhando tarefas de cariz financeiro de forma mais independente, por exemplo, compra de produtos, pagamento de servi��os e gest��o do dinheiro. Para alcan��ar o pretendido, utilizou-se a metodologia do ensino direto, com tarefas estruturadas. Numa fase inicial o investigador prestava apoio constante aos alunos, que foi diminuindo gradualmente �� medida que atingiam as compet��ncias relacionadas com o dinheiro. Na fase final, os alunos realizaram as tarefas propostas de forma aut��noma. Constru��do como um estudo de caso, os dados foram recolhidos atrav��s de observa����o direta e de provas de monitoriza����o. Os alunos come��aram por realizar uma avalia����o inicial para delinear a linha de base da interven����o. Posteriormente, foi realizada a interven����o baseada no ensino direto, com recurso ao computador, �� calculadora, a provas de monitoriza����o e ao manuseio de dinheiro. O computador foi utilizado na interven����o como tecnologia de apoio �� aprendizagem, permitindo a realiza����o de jogos interativos e consulta de materiais. No final da interven����o os alunos revelaram autonomia na resolu����o das tarefas, pois j�� tinham automatizado os processos matem��ticas para saber manusear corretamente a moeda euro. O ensino direto auxiliou os alunos a reterem as compet��ncias matem��ticas essenciais de manuseamento do dinheiro, compondo quantias, efetuando pagamentos e conferindo trocos, que muito podem contribuir para terem uma participa����o independente na vida em sociedade

Fractional Dynamics of Computer Virus Propagation

We propose a fractional model for computer virus propagation. The model includes the interaction between computers and removable devices. We simulate numerically the model for distinct values of the order of the fractional derivative and for two sets of initial conditions adopted in the literature. We conclude that fractional order systems reveal richer dynamics than the classical integer order counterpart. Therefore, fractional dynamics leads to time responses with super-fast transients and super-slow evolutions towards the steady-state, effects not easily captured by the integer order models.

Ensemble: an innovative approach to practice computer programming

Currently, the teaching-learning process in domains, such as computer programming, is characterized by an extensive curricula and a high enrolment of students. This poses a great workload for faculty and teaching assistants responsible for the creation, delivery, and assessment of student exercises. The main goal of this chapter is to foster practice-based learning in complex domains. This objective is attained with an e-learning framework���called Ensemble���as a conceptual tool to organize and facilitate technical interoperability among services. The Ensemble framework is used on a specific domain: computer programming. Content issues are tacked with a standard format to describe programming exercises as learning objects. Communication is achieved with the extension of existing specifications for the interoperation with several systems typically found in an e-learning environment. In order to evaluate the acceptability of the proposed solution, an Ensemble instance was validated on a classroom experiment with encouraging results.

Design a computer programming learning environment for Massive Open Online Courses

Teaching and learning computer programming is as challenging as difficult. Assessing the work of students and providing individualised feedback to all is time-consuming and error prone for teachers and frequently involves a time delay. The existent tools and specifications prove to be insufficient in complex evaluation domains where there is a greater need to practice. At the same time Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) are appearing revealing a new way of learning, more dynamic and more accessible. However this new paradigm raises serious questions regarding the monitoring of student progress and its timely feedback. This paper provides a conceptual design model for a computer programming learning environment. This environment uses the portal interface design model gathering information from a network of services such as repositories and program evaluators. The design model includes also the integration with learning management systems, a central piece in the MOOC realm, endowing the model with characteristics such as scalability, collaboration and interoperability. This model is not limited to the domain of computer programming and can be adapted to any complex area that requires systematic evaluation with immediate feedback.

Computer-supported cooperative work:alguns temas de investiga����o

Os primeiros trabalhos sobre Computer-Supported Cooperative Work surgiram na segunda metade da d��cada de 80, estabelecendo-se um campo de investiga����o interdisciplinar com enfoque no papel do computador e das tecnologias da comunica����o no apoio do trabalho em grupo (Ishii et al., 1994). Ao abordar esta ��rea de investiga����o torna-se claro que �� necess��rio ter em conta a diversidade dos grupos e das tarefas que estes devem de utilizar, entre outros factores importantes. As implica����es desta diversidade s��o discutidas ao n��vel concep����o de interfaces de groupware, em que um maior envolvimento dos utilizadores nas fases iniciais parece ser necess��rio, e ao n��vel dos Sistemas de Apoio �� Decis��o em Grupo.

Sistema de Recomenda����o: Share GFS Games, Films & Series

Esta disserta����o incide sobre o estudo e an��lise de uma solu����o para a cria����o de um sistema de recomenda����o para uma comunidade de consumidores de media e no consequente desenvolvimento da mesma cujo ��mbito inicial engloba consumidores de jogos, filmes e/ou s��ries, com o intuito de lhes proporcionar a oportunidade de partilharem experi��ncias, bem como manterem um registo das mesmas. Com a informa����o adquirida, o sistema re��ne condi����es para proceder a sugest��es direccionadas a cada membro da comunidade. O sistema actualiza a sua informa����o mediante as ac����es e os dados fornecidos pelos membros, bem como pelo seu feedback ��s sugest��es. Esta aprendizagem ao longo do tempo permite que as sugest��es do sistema evoluam juntamente com a mudan��a de prefer��ncia dos membros ou se autocorrijam. O sistema toma iniciativa de sugerir mediante determinadas ac����es, mas tamb��m pode ser invocada uma sugest��o directamente pelo utilizador, na medida em que este n��o precisa de esperar por sugest��es, podendo pedir ao sistema que as forne��a num determinado momento. Nos testes realizados foi poss��vel apurar que o sistema de recomenda����o desenvolvido forneceu sugest��es adequadas a cada utilizador espec��fico, tomando em linha de conta as suas ac����es pr��vias. Para al��m deste facto, o sistema n��o forneceu qualquer sugest��o quando o hist��rico destas tinha provado incomodar o utilizador.

Bridging present and future of brain-computer interfaces: an assessment of impacts

Based on the report for the ���Project III��� unit of the PhD programme on Technology Assessment under the supervision of Prof. Ant��nio B. Moniz. This report was discussed also at the 2nd Winter School on Technology Assessment held at Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Caparica Campus, Portugal on December 2011.

Estudo Focado no Utilizador de Software Gratuito para Modela����o e Visualiza����o 3D Realista

Computa����o gr��fica um campo que tem vindo a crescer bastante nos ��ltimos anos, desde ��reas como cinematogr��ficas, dos videojogos, da anima����o, o avan��o tem sido t��o grande que a semelhan��a com a realidade �� cada vez maior. Praticamente hoje em dia todos os filmes t��m efeitos gerados atrav��s de computa����o gr��fica, at�� simples an��ncios de televis��o para n��o falar do realismo dos videojogos de hoje. Este estudo tem como objectivo mostrar duas alternativas no mundo da computa����o gr��fica, como tal, v��o ser usados dois programas, Blender e Unreal Engine. O cen��rio em quest��o ser�� todo modelado de raiz e ser�� o mesmo nos dois programas. Ser��o feitos v��rios renders ao cen��rio, em ambos os programas usando diferentes materiais, diferentes tipos de ilumina����o, em tempo real e n��o de forma a mostrar as v��rias alternativas poss��veis.

Social Media Integration in Video Games GameNshare: A Social Overlay for Desktop Games

The ever increasing popularity of social media makes it a promising source for the personalization of gameplay experiences. Furthermore, involving social network friends in a game can greatly enrich the satisfaction of the player and also attract potential novel players to a game. This master thesis describes a social overlay designed for desktop games, called GameNshare. It allows players to easily capture and share with multiple social networks game-related screenshots, videos and stories. Additionally, it also provides asynchronous multiplayer game mechanics to directly integrate social network friends in the game. GameNshare was designed to interact with the users in a non-intrusive way allowing them to be in complete control of what is shared. It prevents unsolicited sharing of messages, a key problem in social media integration tools, by the use of built-in message monitoring and anti-spam measures. GameNshare was specially designed for players aged from 18 to 25 years that are regular users of Twitter and Facebook. It was tested by a group of 10 individuals from the target age range that were surveyed to capture their insights on the use of the social overlay. The implemented GameNshare features were well accepted by the testers that were also useful in highlighting features for future development. GameNshare ultimate goal is to make players look and ask for social integration and allow them to take full advantage of their social communities to improve gaming experiences.

Brain-computer interface (BCI): a methodological proposal to assess the impacts of medical applications in 2022

Based on the report for ���Project IV��� unit of the PhD programme on Technology Assessment (Doctoral Conference) at Universidade Nova de Lisboa (December 2011). This thesis research has the supervision of Ant��nio Moniz (FCT-UNL and ITAS-KIT) and Armin Grunwald (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology-ITAS, Germany). Other members of the thesis committee are M��rio Forjaz Secca (FCT-UNL) and Femke Nijboer (University of Twente, Netherlands).

Interactive acquisition of spatial information from images for multimedia applications

Disserta����o para obten����o do Grau de Doutor em Inform��tica

Purification of complex biopharmaceuticals with new processes, advanced analytics and computer-aided process design tools

Disserta����o para obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Biotecnologia

A framework for developing motion-based games

Disserta����o para obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Inform��tica