Pacific McGeorge School of Law
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The Joy of Embodied Learning
No full textThe science of embodied cognition has established that thinking involves dynamic exchanges between the body and the brain and webs of interaction between humans and their environments. While learning draws on these connected ecosystems, persistent notions of the brain as separate from and hierarchically managing the body—an enduring legacy of Cartesian dualism—perpetuate static teaching and learning mindsets. Disregard for the body’s role in learning fuels disengagement, isolation, and inequity. This chapter weaves key findings from embodied learning research together with scenes from the author’s own academic journey to illustrate how leveraging brain–body connections can foster educational well-being. The author shares accessible approaches to and reflection around re-centering the body in teaching and learning, in any discipline or modality, to spark community, curiosity, and joy.https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/provost-facbooks/1021/thumbnail.jp
Myuphoria Festival Design
No full textMy original concept behind the name was to combine the captivating presence and storytelling of the muses in Greek mythology and merge it with the feeling of euphoria. My branding also ties into folklore and the seductive nature of sirens. The siren’s call becomes my own design language, incorporating seafoam textures—playing on the idea of a siren’s passing—with a warm color palette intentionally meant to be unconventional for imagery surrounding sirens. My work is based on the themes of wayfinding, mythology, and immersive design. This festival branding was purposefully designed to create a space where people can lose themselves and rediscover something new. The names listed on the setlist are all fictional and are similar to names of alternative rock/alternative pop bands and artists in the 90s. Instead of going down the illustrative route, I decided to play around with photo manipulation and strong typographic hierarchy to guide the audience/crowd around the festival grounds seamlessly. Wayfinding and signage aren’t just practical tools for the audience, but they are also an extension of their experience. In my mobile app design for Myuphoria, I prioritized a functional map for the festival-goer to refer to throughout the festival. Functions on the app include directions to the nearest water stations, medical station, food vendors, stages, bathrooms, VIP areas, lost & found, and accessible resting areas. These are all essential for a variety of festival-goers to get the most optimal care and be aware of all the resources they need just on their phone
DeadRinger Portable Network Appliance
No full textAs digital technologies continue to evolve and cement their increasingly prominent role in modern human society, they become more and more attractive and facile as vectors of infiltration into our personal lives. The use of electronic devices as implements of covert surveillance is unique in that it is practiced as extensively by criminals as it is by government entities and legitimate corporations; furthermore, at least in highly-developed countries like the United States, the average individual has become largely complacent with regards to the fact that their own possessions are spying upon them. Invasions of privacy are so deeply intertwined with the concept of computers in the modern age that many assume the two to be entirely inseparable. DeadRinger is a project which seeks to upend this resigned attitude by passing control over personal data back into the hands of the user, and it does so by standing between the consumer and the medium through which almost all of their data is extracted: the Internet. Using a set of open-source software and hardware components, the DeadRinger device provides privacy-oriented routing, firewall, DNS server, VPN client, and packet inspection functionality in a simple, portable, and relatively inexpensive package which aims to facilitate user-friendly control over personal digital devices and the information they transmit
SmartCane - Tactile Pavement Substitution
No full textTraditional mobility canes provide essential navigation support for visually impaired individuals, yet they rely heavily on environmental adaptations such as tactile pavements, which may not always be feasible indoors. The SmartCane project proposes an innovative alternative that enhances spatial perception using embedded color sensors and haptic feedback. By detecting colored tape on the ground, the SmartCane replicates the guidance provided by tactile pavements through distinct vibration patterns, allowing users to differentiate between safe paths, caution zones, and navigation cues without requiring permanent infrastructure modifications.
The system is built around the Arduino Giga R1 WiFi microcontroller, integrated with TCS34725 color sensors, multiple vibration motors, and buzzers for auditory feedback. The microcontroller processes sensor data and triggers real-time haptic and auditory feedback to inform users of their surroundings. To further enhance indoor navigation, the SmartCane employs Bluetooth beacons that communicate with a companion mobile application. These beacons, strategically placed at key locations such as entrances and path intersections, provide additional directional assistance and safety warnings. The mobile app interprets beacon signals to offer real-time auditory cues, such as distance from intersections or notifications upon entering a beacon-equipped building, supplementing the cane’s tactile feedback.
The project follows a structured development timeline, beginning with hardware and sensor selection, followed by software implementation for color detection and vibration feedback. Subsequent phases include field testing, refining sensor accuracy, and integrating Bluetooth communication. User testing with visually impaired individuals will provide insights for further improvements in usability and reliability.
Designed for portability and adaptability, the SmartCane offers a cost-effective and scalable assistive solution that complements existing accessibility tools. By leveraging embedded systems, wireless communication, and user-centered design, this project aims to enhance independence and mobility for visually impaired individuals, particularly in indoor environments where traditional tactile pavements may be impractical
Animal Detection System (ADS)
No full textThe Animal Detection System (ADS) is a portable, real-time monitoring solution designed to enhance safety in outdoor environments by detecting and deterring potentially dangerous animals around campsites. This project aims to provide campers with an automated and reliable early-warning system to help prevent unexpected wildlife encounters, especially in remote or forested areas. The system utilizes the WYZE Cam v3, a high-resolution, weather-resistant camera with night vision, paired with a Raspberry Pi 5 microcomputer for processing visual data. A passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor enables the system to activate only when movement is detected, optimizing performance and reducing false alarms.
When motion is detected, the system captures footage and evaluates whether a potential threat is present. If a predator is identified, deterrent mechanisms are triggered—these include flashing lights, a loud siren, and an automated bear spray device designed to activate safely and only when a large animal is detected. The system is designed for flexible power options and can operate using a wall outlet, a solar panel, or a car battery, making it suitable for a wide range of camping scenarios. A custom-designed printed circuit board (PCB) integrates all hardware components to ensure efficient and compact functionality
The Caseload Chronicles: Investigating the Case Manager Role Through the Perspectives of Current Special Education Teachers
No full textTeacher attrition and resulting shortages have become severely problematic across the United States. This is especially true within special education. This study employs role theory (Kahn et al., 1964) to isolate the case manager role carried by special education teachers, investigate it through the stories of current practitioners, and establish it within academia. Burnout theory (Maslach, 1993) provides a lens through which to evaluate the strain of working conditions surrounding the case manager role. Elements of narrative inquiry (Clandinin, 2006; Creswell & Guetterman, 2019) in the form of 1-1 interviews with current IEP case managers from across California provided the means for data collection. Reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2019) applied to the stories yielded five supporting categories and six subthemes grouped under four main themes; Unreasonable Expectations, Power Dynamics, Teamwork & Coordination, and a Strong Sense of Why/Purpose. The case manager role infringes upon the teacher role. The entire timeline of special education policy is reviewed to present day, implications pertaining to the current political-educational landscape are discussed, and considerations for future research are proposed. This was insider research conducted by a fellow practitioner to achieve rich contextual details (Bhattacharya, 2017) and enhanced depth of findings
Discrete Math for Computer Science - Chapter 28: Introduction to trees: Properties of trees
No full textSee this OER textbook full record by clicking here.https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/open-videos/1029/thumbnail.jp
