Vikram Kamath Cannanure, Geoff Gordon Carnegie Mellon University

1. Telkart and QnA: An Open
Teaching System for
Computer Science Courses
Vikram Kamath Cannanure, Dr. Geoff Gordon
Carnegie Mellon University

2. Introduction: What’s the talk about?
• Discuss our system for teaching
computer science courses.
• Show a prototype and its application
in teaching.
• Seek feedback about our system and
it’s application in OER.
• Look for prospective collaboration for
research and deployment.
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3. Our System: What is it made of?
• QnA: A software system to upload instructions (videos,
text) and assessments.
• Telkart: A custom hardware system to create videos.
• Lightweight: Uses existing devices (MacBook and an
iPad) to create course content.
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4. QnA: Software Web Portal
• Limited Learning Management
System(LMS) features with low
setup cost.
• Modularity, portability were the
goals.
• Designed using user-centered
research; and open source
libraries. 4

5. Our Design Approach
• Our users are stakeholders
• Features developed in iterations
• Continuous feedback loop
• We use insights from users for
iterative design
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6. Features in QnA
• WYSIWYG- What You
See Is What You Get
• Real-time latex preview
• Embed media
• Version control
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7. TelKart: Custom hardware cart
• Mac Mini, Wacom tablet, video and audio recording.
• Mounted on a custom-made cart.
• Can be wheeled to a classroom or office.
• Content is exported or live streamed to YouTube or
Panopto
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8. Future Work: Low Cost TelKart
• iPad Pro and a MacBook
connected using the default
cable
• Uses QuickTime and open
source OBS Studio to broadcast
the window from the iPad
• Allows switching windows and
adding a camera view.
Add image
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9. Demo
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10. Next Steps: Low Cost TelKart
“ It took me less than an hour to set up” - Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
• Collect feedback from users and deploy it
• Build a low cost version e.g. Android tablet
• Build a DIY instructional setup for instructors to use it independently
• Augment the system with 3D printing and add on lenses
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11. Project: Future Work
• Open-source software to form independent instances
• Prototype and evaluate the low cost version of the tool
• Deploy to more instructors within and outside university
• Add documentation to make adoption easier
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12. Summary
• QnA: system is deployed in campuses in Pittsburgh and
Silicon Valley.
• TelKart: A custom hardware system to create videos.
• Prototype a low-cost version of the system based on a
laptop and a tablet
• Seeking feedback and ideas that you may have
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13. Feedback?
Stay updated:
http://bit.ly/qna-info
Visit me at my poster.
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