All posts by Kimberly Gaskin

Shelly Copeland Creates App for Google Summer of Code Contest

computer technology

When Professor Brad Yourth announced to his Java Programming students that there was going to be a Google Summer of Code contest (GSC), Programming student Shelly Copeland jumped at the opportunity. She created a concept for Android in just a few days. Though she did not win the contest, Yourth said that her work and concept was praised by faculty from MIT and Mills College.

Copeland’s passion for computer programming began in the 1980’s when she owned a Commodore Vic20. That was the first time she ever wrote a program and was able to watch it run. From that time forward, she was hooked. Once Copeland heard about the GSC, she began thinking seriously about her concept for the project. The concept she chose was a combination of the types of technology her chosen organization was interested in, combined with practicality. “I wanted to come up with an idea that could help people in their everyday lives, something people actually need,” she said.

Copeland feels that her application would benefit others because it would allow people to use sensory data to monitor a person’s health, without having to open and record it on a daily or weekly basis. The data would be monitored using a wireless monitor already available as a health and wellness aid. The device is about the size of a watch. A probe automatically records the data from the wireless monitor. In the event of a trauma, such as an increased heart rate or cardiac arrest, a programmed event would occur, such as calling 911, or alerting family members or a physician. This critical data could also easily be transferred through NFC to a hospital or EMS vehicle. If someone is in cardiac arrest, it is difficult to push a button, use a phone, or open an application for a paramedic, so it is important that critical data be readily available if someone is unconscious. Copeland feels that this could “revolutionize how critical healthcare data is processed for patients that are at high risk such as after heart surgery and end-of-term care for hospice patients.

“In my opinion, mobile development is the future. So the skills I acquired while working on this project are of utmost importance to me. Mobile developers who can build marketable mobile sites and apps are currently in high demand, she said.” In the future, Copeland hopes to earn her Master’s Degree in Computer Science, specifically honing in on developing a uniform operating system that can run across platforms such as Android, Mac and PC’s alike.

 

 

 

Mayra Harley Joins the CCIT Advisory Committee

College of Computer and Information Technology

Recently, the College of Computer & Information Technology Department (CCIT) invited Mayra Harley, Chief Executive Officer of Smart Marketing Concepts, Inc. (SMC) to join its Advisory Committee. SMC has been in existence for the past 9 years, and Mayra and her husband Mike have been in charge of the division in Tampa, Florida for the past 3 years. The Harley’s primary focus is on the business development aspect of the company.

“We strive to match the product to the individual. We look closely at the product to make sure it is effective,” Harley said. The Harley’s highly value customer service, since “it is paramount to having a great product.” As Harley transitions to a new role on the advisory committee, she hopes that the experience she gained from the corporate world would be an asset to the committee.

“I hope to impart to the group real world experience and hone in on some of the software skills that have been overlooked in Academia.”

SPC student William Roussel creates Coffee Quotes Application for Android

Student Accomplishments

For the past 15 years, William Roussel has been involved with computer programming. Roussel said that he always liked working with computers. He is intrigued when presented with challenges. In the spring semester, Roussel was a student in Professor Brad Yourth’s Java Programming I class, COP 2250. As part of a class assignment, students were required to make an Android application. Upon hearing this, Roussel wanted to create a simple, yet innovative product that would be marketable and compete with existing applications.

“I think that it’s great that I was able to take what I learned from the college and use that knowledge to create an app on the market,” Roussel said. Currently, he is creating a Camera application that can be used by companies as a branding tool to promote their business. Though the applications are free, Roussel hopes to acquire more experience to produce applications for payment.

For students who strive to make android applications, Roussel suggests that students look at existing applications to gain a better understanding of what is needed in the industry and recreate something of greater market value.

St. Petersburg College Student Andrew Pruitt studies abroad from Afghanistan

Student Accomplishments

While stationed in Afghanistan, St. Petersburg College student Andrew Pruitt enrolled in the Linux System Administrator Certificate Program in the College of Computer & Information Technology (CCIT).  Upon completion of his last course CTS 2106 Fundamentals of LINUX/UNIX Operating Systems, Pruitt said that the class was especially helpful to him because most of the modems and control centers where he is stationed in Afghanistan run on equipment that uses a LINUX based operation system.

Pruitt began the job with little knowledge of LINUX operating systems. He was only aware of the commands that were commonly used. After he completed CTS 2106, the knowledge he acquired enabled him to understand why certain commands are used and he was able to work through each task. This course also aided him in using SatCom Modems and Sun Solaris Servers to run Satcom Networks that run on Linux/Unix.

“I enjoyed this class. It definitely helped me out at work,” he said. Pruitt currently works for a telecommunications company in Afghanistan.

WEBEX: A new look for online learning

College of Computer and Information Technology

For the summer semester, the College of Computer & Information Technology is seeking to pilot WEBEX in its CISCO courses. According to CISCO Academy Instructor Michael Gordon, WEBEX allows for online classes to incorporate video and voiceover. It facilitates up to 100 students. Although instructors have the main control to present, it can be passed from the instructor to students during a presentation.

Using WEBEX is in no way cumbersome. Students get an email from the instructor, and like an email account, students log on to the server using their username and password. There is no download or installation required. If students prefer not to use the video feature, they have the option of using a phone conference system. All sessions are recorded and can be replayed at a later time. If a student does not have computer access, mobile phones can accommodate WEBEX as well.

“I wanted to add this feature to the virtual class setting because I can meet with a student and all students can observe my responses. This, in turn, cuts down on emailing, which can be time consuming.” Currently, Gordon is the only one slated to use WEBEX for CISCO courses, but he hopes that it will be used for other subjects in the future. Though Gordon hopes to implement WEBEX into his courses by fall, a pilot for WEBEX is slated for the summer session.

Adrian Tillman becomes full-time Faculty Member for CCIT

Faculty

Before arriving at St. Petersburg College in the fall 2011 semester, Adrian Tillman worked in the Information Technology industry for the past 11 years. He has dealt with a wide gamut of technology where he worked as a lead software engineer and software developer. Tillman also acquired tremendous experience working with desktop applications, configured mobile devices and dealt with a host of programming languages which include PYTHON. Once he became an adjunct instructor for the College of Computer & Information Technology Department (CCIT) at St. Petersburg College, he taught Java Programming I and II online through the Tarpon Springs campus where he will be based. He also teaches classes online and on the Clearwater campus.

Teaching has always been a passion for Tillman and his family. Since his mother and sister pursued careers in teaching, he wanted to follow in their footsteps. However, gaining industry experience in IT was priority before pursuing his teaching goal. While perusing the SPC web site, he noticed that there was a need for adjunct instructors. He jumped at the opportunity and applied right away. “The transition from the IT world to the teaching profession is exciting for me. I enjoy seeing students have a passion for what they learn upon completion of the course and the joy they experience when they develop a real thirst for knowledge,” he said.

Apart from teaching, Tillman has been a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) organization and the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity for the past 13 years. As he transitions from being a part-time adjunct instructor to a fulltime faculty member for CCIT, he said that the biggest adjustment would be “balancing my course load and managing my time.” He is ecstatic about this opportunity and looks forward to becoming more involved with the SPC community and CCIT department.

 

CCIT Remembers Maria Osterhoudt

Faculty

Professor Maria Louise Osterhoudt served St. Petersburg College with distinction as an Associate Professor in the College of Computer & Information Technology (formerly Business Technology) since August 2001, until her untimely death on February 25, 2012. Maria’s love for teaching was evident through her devotion to students and her fairness and honesty with her colleagues and coworkers. Throughout the time she was associated with the college, Maria placed students’ interests above all other concerns and encouraged them to strive for excellence. She based her instruction on skill sets she knew students would need to obtain meaningful employment.

Not a day went by that Maria failed to display genuine interest in her colleagues as well. She often greeted them with an affectionate hug and asked them how they were feeling. In addition to her caring spirit, she was also very artistic. In her spare time, she enjoyed painting and playing classical and jazz piano, talents which permeated into her teaching.  Maria was a scholar who kept up-to-date with the latest technology. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Jersey City State College, and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology from the University of South Florida.

Maria will be remembered for her zeal for sharing not only the theory and knowledge of computer technology and web design, but also the application of theory and design through creative projects which were delivered with excellence. Among these projects were the re-design of the Tarpon Springs Campus web site and the initial web site design for the Veteran’s Legacies at the Bilirakis Archives on the Tarpon Springs Campus.

A memorial scholarship fund was created in honor of her memory, to provide financial assistance for tuition, fees, books and other bona fide college expenses to full or part-time students enrolled in one of the following programs: Computer/Web Programming & Analysis, Web Site Design & Management, and Digital Arts, Media & Interactive Web A.S. Degree programs at SPC. Donations can be made through the following web site: https://foundation.spcollege.edu/giving . Click on “Other, then add “Maria Osterhoudt Scholarship” in the “Other Fund” field.

She will be greatly missed by her family and the SPC Community.

 

SPC student Danielle Brant gets Web Design Internship Opportunity

internships

To assist veterans who have limited mobility due to spinal cord injury or disease, the Florida Gulf Coast Paralyzed Veterans of America (FGCPVA) organization enlists volunteers to improve the quality of life of veterans and help them enroll in sports and recreational programs within the community. Executive Director of FGCPVA, Joan Winkler said that the aim of this non-profit organization is “to make sure the business entity is aware of ADA laws and regulations.

 In the fall of 2011, Winkler and her team enlisted the help of Danielle Brant, a student from the Web Design & Management Associate in Science program at St. Petersburg College (SPC).Brant has been a graphic designer for over 9 years. She decided to pursue a degree in Web Design since it is a field in demand. After hearing about the internship opportunity from Internship Coordinator Susan Biszewski-Eber, Brant jumped at the opportunity and was soon hired by FGCPVA to build their web site. A couple of weeks later, Biszewski-Eber contacted Brant again, stating that another company, Tampa Bay Veterans Alliance (TBVA), needed a web site. Since TBVA had a deadline, Brant immediately started working. Since the FGCPVA needed a web site, Biszewski-Eber told Brant the company was offering a paid internship where she can work from home.

The main objective of the web site is “to get the message out there and promote fundraising and awareness of the organization through volunteers. Our specialty is paralysis. We advocate for quality healthcare for our vets,” Winkler said. To ensure quality care, FGCPVA hones in on assisting veterans who are paraplegic and quadriplegic with mobility issues.

Commenting on her experience Brant said, “I enjoyed building these web sites for both companies. They were both good clients and working with them was great. I feel proud of these web sites, knowing what good these non-profit veterans’ organizations do.” While serving her internship, Brant was able to teach herself JOOMLA, a content management system (CMS) and build both web sites in it. She advises future Web Design interns to “learn as much as they can for as long as they can, since it is not always easy to get internships and/or mentors to teach you all that you need to know.”

 Brant has been serving an internship with FGCPVA for the past three months and it has been a “positive experience,” Winkler said. Since the start of her internship, Brant has been flexible with her time, which is an asset Winkler values most in employees. Winkler hopes that FGCPVA will hire more SPC interns in the future.

 

Get involved with the IEEE Orgranization

Faculty

Professor Yohandy Carrazana of the Tarpon Springs Campus at St. Petersburg College believes that one of the best ways to learn something new and gain new experiences is through teaching. His motivation to teach stemmed from a desire “to give back to this country and pass on his experiences in teaching.” Carrazana has gone a step further in imparting knowledge by joining the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Organization.

 Carrazana began his career as a CISCO Academy adjunct instructor at SPC in January 2010 for the College of Computer & Information Technology Department (CCIT). Prior to that time, he enrolled in an IEEE chapter in Syracuse, NY in 2004, where he became an IEEE and Communications Society Member. He is currently responsible for recruiting new members into the Communication Society of IEEE for the Florida West Chapter.

 From his vantage point, the purpose of the IEEE organization is to “engage individuals in activities related to Electrical and Electronics Engineering all over the world. His approach to get students involved with the organization is through extracurricular activities as well as during class time, where he will use some technical articles from IEEE in his classes. He hopes to do a presentation with IT Electronics and Engineering students at SPC in the future.

Carrazana further stated that the greatest benefit students can derive from joining the IEEE organization is networking. “Students will have the opportunity to connect with experienced and recognized individuals in our area that can help them in their professional careers.”