Week Four
I would choose the User Centred Design(UCD) but make some changes to it. Task analysis is needed because we need to understand the scope of the coursework. We need to make sure what exactly is expected and not go astray. Requirements specification, in my opinion, is the most important step. If this step is not done properly, it affects the rest of the steps and the entire project. Here we must determine the final outcome. Usability requirements, functional requirements, etc have to be clearly stated and defined. All the following steps will be based on information from here. Next is the storyboard. Here we put to paper what the planned final product will be like. Instead of moving onto to prototype immediately, I would bring up the evaluation step once here. I would instead ask some of the children in my age group what they thought if such a program was created. Once I have taken their input and made the necessary changes, then I would move onto the prototype. After the prototype is done, I would again bring up the evaluation stage. I feel that constant feedback on all the steps from the targeted age group is really important in creating a successful program.
Week Two
These themes, although different, are used for one general purpose. To teach and disseminate information to the masses, or in this case, a classroom of students. The key with the different themes is to know when each theme is to be used. I am of the school of thought that very little is wrong at its core, just how it is interpreted or used. With the different themes, my understanding is that at any one time, a particular theme is best for a particular group of people, or more directly, their level of maturity. This is where the skill and dedication of a teacher plays a huge role. The teacher needs to be able to realize where it’s best to use the Behaviourism theme (a younger audience), or the Constructivism theme (the middle school years) to the Constructionism theme (the latter part of the schooling years) and finally the Socioculturism theme (college or university level). Another aspect to consider, would be a theme for the particular subject or topic being taught. Does the topic lend itself to a more open discussion (Socioculturism) or a more guided approach (any of the first 2).
Week One
My main objective from this course is an attempt to see how multimedia is being implemented in all levels of educations. From primary to postgraduate. Multimedia applications for business’s, governments etc are constantly being developed and researched to be better. I feel that due to the popularity of the home PC and the fact that children are being exposed to it at such a young age, why not expose it to them with something educational ? A lot of children nowadays would rather be at a PC than buried in a book. I am not saying that we should abolish books or give them less priority. My point is that for certain areas of education that some children might find boring like science, a colourful and fun multimedia application would definitely make them want to sit down and learn on their own.
