Digital image exploration at Maui Community College

TL;DR

This paper describes a two-day laboratory activity at Maui Community College that teaches fundamental digital image concepts through open investigation, cultural integration, and engineering design challenges, with assessment improvements.

Contribution

It introduces a culturally integrated, inquiry-based digital image exploration activity with enhanced assessment methods for introductory engineering students.

Findings

Students achieved understanding of image resolution and file formats.

Incorporation of Hawaiian culture increased engagement.

Assessment rubrics improved evaluation of student presentations.

Abstract

We designed a two-day laboratory exploration of fundamental concepts in digital images for an introductory engineering course at Maui Community College. Our objective was for the students to understand spatial vs. brightness resolution, standard file formats, image tradeoffs, and the engineering design cycle. We used open investigation, question generation, and an engineering design challenge to help our students achieve these learning goals. We also experimented with incorporating Hawaiian language and cultural awareness into our activity. We present our method, student response, and reflections on the success of our design. The 2008 re-design of this activity focused on better incorporating authentic engineering process skills, and on using a rubric for summative assessment of the students' poster presentations. A single file containing all documents and presentations used in this lesson is available online.