Journal of Applied Computing and Information Technology

ISSN 2230-4398, Volume 18, Issue 2, 2014

Incorporating the NACCQ publications:
Bulletin of Applied Computing and Information Technology, ISSN 1176-4120
Journal of Applied Computing and Information Technology, ISSN 1174-0175

Issue Home  Home  Authors  Reviewers  About 

  Welcome

Welcome to this issue of Computing and Information Technology Research and Education, New Zealand (CITRENZ) Journal of Applied Computing and Information Technology (JACIT), an amalgamation of two publications from the National Advisory Committee of Computing Qualifications (NACCQ): JACIT and the Bulletin (BACIT).

Are you interested in contributing a paper to JACIT? Please refer to the  guidelines and templates available on the Authors tab, and then contact the editors:

• Executive Editor: Dr. Michael Verhaart ( mverhaart@eit.ac.nz ), or
• Senior Associate Editor: Dr. Donald Joyce ( dcjoyce@xtra.co.nz ).

---

 Table of contents

• Editorial
• Welcome to the current edition of the merged Computing and Information Technology Research and Education, New Zealand (CITRENZ) Journal of Applied Computing and Information Technology (JACIT).
  - Dr Michael Verhaart
• Refereed Articles
  • A1: A minimally intrusive monitoring system that utilizes electricity consumption as a proxy for wellbeing
    - Tim D. Hunt, Dileep Rajendran, Mark Nikora, Susan Bennett, Andy Fendall
  • A2: An evaluation of different delivery methods for teaching binary, hex and decimal conversion
    - Daniel Kempthorne, Dr. Aaron Steele

---

Editorial

Introducing CITRENZ JACIT Issue 18

Michael Verhaart

---

Refereed Articles

A minimally intrusive monitoring system that utilizes electricity consumption as a proxy for wellbeing

Tim D. Hunt, Dileep Rajendran, Mark Nikora, Susan Bennett, Andy Fendall

The purpose of this work was to test the hypothesis: `Off-the-shelf domestic electricity meters can be utilised to assist in monitoring the wellbeing of elderly people` Many studies have shown that it is, in theory, possible to use domestic electricity consumption to determine `activities of daily living` but the availability of systems for actual use is very limited. This work followed the Design Science Research Methodology to create a Java application running on the Google App Engine cloud service that interfaced with both electricity meters and voice and text services. The system was implemented and tested over a three month period with one older person and their carer. Results demonstrated that the technology readily succeeds in meeting the study`s initial objectives. The need for more sophisticated decision logic was apparent and a method to determine whether a home is currently occupied is likely to improve the ability to create more timely alerts.



An evaluation of different delivery methods for teaching binary, hex and decimal conversion

Daniel Kempthorne, Dr. Aaron Steele

The ability to convert between binary, hexadecimal, and decimal numbering systems is a fundamental skill commonly taught to tertiary-level computing and ICT students. This paper presents the results of a multiple year investigation into the application of differing approaches for the teaching and learning of these skills. Specifically, the study compares traditional lectures, games, and group activities with student levels of academic achievement. Student prior experience with numbering system conversion is also analysed. The study reveals that, overall, the game-based approach resulted in the highest average test scores; however, when students were divided into groups with and without prior experience, the students with prior experience performed better with a traditional lecture approach.

 

---