J. Ben Schafer Associate Professor University of Northern Iowa Department of Computer Science 316 ITTC Building Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0507 (319)-273-2187

My Schedule - Spring 2012

• Check out my office, research, and teaching schedule.

Teaching

• Spring 2012
  • CS 1120, Media Computation
  • CS 1510, Introduction to Computing
  • CS 1800, Discrete Structures
• Fall 2012
  • CS 1140, Programming Environments for Education
  • CS 1510, Introduction to Computing
  • CS 1800, Discrete Structures
• Previous Semesters
  • CS 1059, Programming Environments for Education (Fall 2011)
  • CS 1510, Introduction to Computing (Fall 2011)
  • CS 2530, Intermediate Computing (Fall 2011)
  • 810:052, Data Structures  (Fall 2009)
  • 810:056, Media Computation (Spring 2011)
  • 810:080, Discrete Structures (Spring 2003)
  • 810:112, User Interface Design, Implementation, and Evaluation (Spring 2007)
  • 810:143, Operating Systems (Fall 2001)
  • 810:161, Artificial Intelligence (Fall 2010)
  • 810:161 (4th credit), Robotics Laboratory (Fall 2010)
  • 810:162, Intelligent Systems (Fall 2009)

Research

For the past decade or so, my research interests have involved recommender systems, collaborative information systems, and agent assisted interfaces.  This draws from the fields of information retrieval, artificial intelligence (AI), and human computer interaction (HCI).   I also have interests in how technology is applied in a diverse set of domains - such as electronic commerce and geographical information systems (GIS).

More recently I have been working with Dr. Stephen Hughes and several undergraduate students in the Collaborative Interaction Research Group.  We have been working with the use of smartphone and tablet PCs as input mechanisms for a more advanced form of student response system that allows students to participate in and control classroom activities.  The first version of our system is expected to be released this spring.

• My publications.
• A faculty profile about my recommender system research

I also have a strong interest in education, the use of computers in education, and teaching strategies for computer science education.  Related to this, I have been working on a variety of community outreach activities targeted at K-12 students.  My favorite with this has been using Scratch with upper elementary students.

• A holding place for some of my community outreach activities.

Personal

• I have a lovely bride, Amy, who has been my companion for over 20 years now.  Together, we have three children - Margaret, Caroline, and James.

   

• When I am away from my office, I have several hobbies that occupy my time.  These include traveling, beer/brewing, and "children's construction toys."  Find links and newspaper articles about me and some of my hobbies on my hobby page.

Links for my use

• CNS webmail