Using mobiledev to acquire sensor data with MATLAB Grader

I am building a new introduction to programming university class and have plans to allow students to collect data with their mobile devices. I am using mobiledev in MATLAB Desktop and that works well, but I recently discovered MATLAB Grader and would like to know if Grader can be used in conjunction with MATLAB Mobile to log sensor data. Is this possible? I have a feeling this isn't going to work, but it would be a great feature.

Answer 1

[Cris LaPierre]

No, MATLAB Grader does not currently provide a way for learners to use their own data in an assignment.

[Jeff Alderson]

To clarify, MATLAB Grader, even when used in MATLAB Online, grades learner submissions asynchronously. There is no way to capture mobile sensor data during the asynchronous grading process. Even though you can run the mobiledev command in a draft solution for a MATLAB Grader problem opened in MATLAB Online, that command is not allowed during asynchronous grading. This is consistent with any other function call that requires capturing/waiting for input, communicating with hardware, etc.

[Michael]

Okay thanks. This helps a lot. I hadn't seen how the students could open the problem in Matlab Online. This helps tremendously. We'll have to build a workaround for the data capture in terms of how we collectc/assess their data.

[Michael]

@Cris LaPierre Adding data capture to Grader would be a pretty neat feature for future releases of Matlab. It would provide a powerful way to engage with students learning to program. Data that student programs interact with is usually provided to them and makes the asssignments far less engaging. The ability to have students build programs that not only respond to sensor data, but can be assessed using the existing Matlab Grader features would be tremendous :)

Answer 2

[Suraj]

Hi Michael,

I've used "mobiledev" on MATLAB online and desktop before. I think the connection happens through the MathWorks account that you are signed in to. I'm not sure how such communication can be achieved on MATLAB Grader.

I tried running the following line within MATLAB Grader and got the error that you see below.

m = mobiledev; 

Sign in to your MathWorks Account to acquire sensor data from your mobile device.

However, when I click the "Open Problem in MATLAB Online" button and launch the assignment in MATLAB Online, I can use "mobiledev" and retrieve sensor data. This workaround may be sufficient in some cases.

I suggest you reach out to MathWorks technical support as they can understand the requirements of your course and help you out.