Class learning activity: Possible topics, pointers and evaluation criteria
The goal of a class learning activity is to help students (and possibly yours truly) gain practical knowledge
about a topic or skill related to multimedia e-learning.
Bear in mind that a learning activity is more than a passive Powerpoint presentation.
You should plan on leading the class for about 10 minutes, give or take 5 minutes. If you think you need more time or a lab setting, let me know further in advance.
Here are some other possible topics:
- A web site that illustrates (either positively or negatively) a cognitive principle from e-Learning and the Science of Instruction,
principles or user interface design and/or technical implementation in Flash or other Rich Interface Application language
- Experiences with analysis, design or implementation of your own piece, such as video or audio production, or working with expert teachers
- Introduce interesting features of a multimedia tool, such as Freehand, Fireworks, CoolEdit, Audition or other sound editing tool, Adobe Premiere or other video tools, Camtasia or other capture tools, etc.
- New or advanced features of media tools such as improvements in Flash CS4, Flash Learning Extensions, Photoshop plug-ins
- Using ActionScript or JavaScript to provide more interactivity
- Alternatives to Flash for web-based Rich Interface Applications: AJAX, Microsoft Silverlight, JavaFX
- Research and development issues of multimedia, such as multimedia and XML, 3D graphics, multimedia in databases or mobile devices, etc.
- Issues of instructional design, such as learning styles, accessibility for handicapped users, application of e-learning principles in particular titles, etc.
- Intelligent tutoring systems and multimedia (see the Johnson, Rickel and Lester paper and the Moritz et al. paper in the syllabus, etc.
Arrange presentations with me (Prof Blank) at least one class in advance, by
sending me an outline (e-mail is fine).
Prepare an outline organizing your learning hierarchically. Here's a boiler-plate
top level outline:
- Title
- Introduce your main idea
- Two or three main points for discussion
- Learning exercise
- Summarize
Estimate how long your activity will take. Again, you have about 10 minutes, give or take 5 minutes, but refine your estimate when you submit your outline.
Pointers for presentation:
- If you use Powerpoint, don't put too much text in, just bullet a few main ideas on each screen; use graphic.
- Don't read the computer screen; speak to the audience.
- Project your voice so that it's easy to hear you in back of room. (I am hard of hearing!)
- Stay within time limit (tell me in advance how long you think your presentatation will take)
- Include learning activities that stimulate your audience to think more deeply, discuss, and/or do something
- I.e., provide examples, ask the audience questions and/or lead hands-on activities.
- Answer any questions clearly.
Prof Blank