Computer Assisted Learning/Multimedia Jeff James Educational Development Unit, PolyU X6290

CAL CMI CALL CAI CBI CBT

CAL emphasis on learning

This session: Overview of computer assisted learning.

more specifically: I. types of CAL software, II. hypermedia/multimedia environments, III. authoring languages, IV. design considerations, V. a critical view of CAL/multimedia.

I. Types of CAL Software drill and practice games simulations tutorials tools (hypermedia) (CMI software; e.g.. tests)

categorizing is difficult: imagine a “space travel game” in a “hyper environment” with a tutorial component.

Typically, drill and practice activities are supplementary to the “normal” teaching process.

Drill and practice is good for fundamental mastery.

Can be thought of as a “flash card” system of the stimulus-response model.

Speed is important for both presentation and feedback.

randomness record keeping often incorporates:

Often CAL software is presented in game format.

May include point scoring, and can be individual or team format.

Have the potential for a very motivational environment.

Can provide microworlds (e.g., a world without friction or gravity).

The University of Illinois has successfully provided computer- driven “dry” chemistry labs.

safe inexpensive fast slow clean possible

Self-paced, where the computer acts as an infinitely-patient, all-wise tutor. Is this guy slow, or what??

Typically a good tutorial will have a structure(s) as follows: give information test give info.... remediate OK (needs help)

give information test give info. remediate OK (needs help)... can be very complex

Typically, application programs which are being used by the student for learning.

" spreadsheet programs " statistics packages " hypermedia software " desktop publishing software " presentation software " CAD software " etc. examples of tools q

II. Hypermedia &Multimedia Environments

hyper- pref. ‘over’, ‘above’, ‘too’... eg. hypersensitive or hypertension

Ted Nelson described himself as being hyperactive.

hypermedia can be thought of as “chunks” of information (nodes), stored in a structure, and accessed by links (buttons).

Textual information, structured by use of links and nodes. Here is some example text which is going to be shrunk down to a size which is barely recognisable; good too because then my poor spelling won’t be recognised. Now, I have run out of example text. Oh well; so what? Here is some example text which is going to be shrunk down to a size which is barely recognisable; good too because then my poor spelling won’t be recognised. Now, I have run out of example text. Oh well; so what? Here is some example text which is going to be shrunk down to a size which is barely recognisable; good too because then my poor spelling won’t be recognised. Now, I have run out of example text. Oh well; so what?

Like hypertext, but including sound, video, and/or animation. Here is some example text which is going to be shrunk down to a size which is barely recognisable; good too because then my poor spelling won’t be recognised. Now, I have run out of example text. Oh well; so what? Here is some example text which is going to be shrunk down to a size which is barely recognisable; good too because then my poor spelling won’t be recognised. Now, I have run out of example text. Oh well; so what? Here is some example text which is going to be shrunk down to a size which is barely recognisable; good too because then my poor spelling won’t be recognised. Now, I have run out of example text. Oh well; so what?

Involves more than one medium (>2 really, since most literature contains graphics and text).

Involves the use of sound, animation, and/or video as well as text and graphics.

Even Ted Nelson said he didn’t know the difference between hypermedia and multimedia. 1 1 Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia Conference, June 1994, Vancouver. [Ted Nelson coined the term hypertext (“non-sequential writing”)].

Computer-controlled multimedia allows the seamless integration of media.

Multimedia can provide a sensory-rich learning environment.

Interactive multimedia is the incorporation of multimedia with human-computer interaction.

Interactive multimedia provides an obvious educational advantage over current broadcasting & publishing which is passive.

play speed movie take a quiz more information WWW tutorial Speed Information regarding the concept of speed can appear as text here. I know very little about it myself, so perhaps a multimedia tutorial about it would help me. To learn about it, select options below, some perhaps more than once.. Choose one option below:

play speed movie take a quiz more information WWW tutorial Speed Information regarding the concept of speed can appear as text here. I know very little about it myself, so perhaps a multimedia tutorial about it would help me. To learn about it, select options below, some perhaps more than once.. Choose one option below: Metaphors abound. A computer screen of information can be a slide, a page, a card, a node, whatever...

There are many possible “HyperDesigns”. Linear.....

There are many possible “HyperDesigns”. Network

Possible applications of less complex designs include electronic books, and information/ training kiosks.

Hyperdesigns give the user opportunity for: more control, but require careful planning and analysis. q

III. Authoring Languages Packages exist which allow the creation of CAL packages by non-computer programmers.

Authoring packages exist for a variety of platforms. For example:

You can use HyperCard on a Macintosh to create stacks of cards.

You can use ToolBook on a PC to create a book (of pages).

You can run Authorware on Mac, PC, or UNIX environments (to create flow lines).

Icon Author (Windows, UNIX) Macromedia Director (all) TenCore cT Examples of other software include: q

IV. Design Considerations the design team and user interface design Two important points in designing CAL software are:

Typically, the design team can circulate ideas on storyboards (hard copies of screen templates).

dfgg dfffg aaadfgg dfffg aaadfgg dfffg aaa Storyboards circulate among design team members. dfgg dfffg aaadfgg dfffg aaadfgg dfffg aaadfgg dfffg aaa content expert graphic artist cognitive scientist programmer

allow the user control use visual cues be consistent design, don’t decorate Some quick tips for User Interface Design q

V. A Critical View 1. CAL is an inferior teaching medium.

a critical view: 2. Users can become disoriented and lost in hyper environments.

a critical view: 3. Too much attention is paid to appearance (esp. graphics) and not enough to educational issues. q

Summary 1. There are many types of CAL software other than sequential point-and-click text.

Summary 2. hypermedia/multimedia environments offer great potential but require care in design.

Summary 3. Many authoring languages are available, allowing everyone programming potential.

Summary 4. Many important design issues need to be considered. q