Blog Post #12 - Mission Space Blast Off!

Web-Based Learning Module

(Scenario-Based Design)

Mission Space ... Blast Off!

~ Click here to launch Mission Space ~

~ Click here to download Mission Space ~

Finally, the scenario-based designed web-based learning module of "Mission Space" is launched today! "Mission Space" brings learners (age 6 to 10) to join Sonya and Ethan, at NASA at the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral to learn about our Solar System. The objectives are to learn the position of the planets from the Sun and some basic information about each planet. At the end of the visit, learners can help Sonya and Ethan answer a simple quiz. Have fun!

The following Six Principles for Effective E-Learning using multimedia were considered in the design of "Mission Space":

• Multimedia Principle: Relevant graphics are added to the words to show the position of the planets and how the planets look like so as to improve learning.
• Contiguity Principle: Texts are placed below (near) graphics to improve learning.
• Modality Principle: Section 508 was considered but not included in the design. Hence, explaining graphics with audio to improve learning was not followed. However, Section 508 will be activated and this module will be modified should the need arises in the future.
• Redundancy Principle: No audio and redundant text are added to hurt learning while explaining the graphics.
• Coherence Principle: I was careful not to use gratuitous visuals, text and sounds in the design because it can hurt learning.
• Personalization Principle: Pedagogical agents (Sonya and Ethan, Michele and me) are added to enhance learning experience.

I also followed some of the Nine Principles of Software Usability:

• Use simple and natural language - I use simple English so that kids of age 6 to 10 can understand.
• Speak the user's language - Same as above.
• Minimize user memory load - I put the content buttons on the left-hand side so that learners can see clearly the entire course map and hence, reduces the need to memorize where they are in the course.
• Be consistent - The format of the information is consistent for all the planets ... position, distance from the sun, duration of orbit, length of day, average temperature, etc.
• Provide clearly marked exits - A red "X" button at the top right-hand corner clearly marks the exit and is consistent to Windows and most software.
• Provide shortcuts - Not applicable.
• Provide good error messages - Meaningful feedbacks are included in the Practice Quiz.
• Prevent errors - Not applicable.

"Yah Mon! I did it! I finished Mission Space - a scenario-based designed web-based learning module and my professional portfolio." - Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Open Source & Open Courseware

Thinking ahead to your career, how do you anticipate being involved in the open source/open courseware movement?

On Open Source and Open Courseware, two conflicting thoughts came to my mind:

• Profits - An organization/individual will find it difficult to be truly open if financial gains stand in the way. It is natural for an organization/individual to expect returns on investment for the instructional packages they designed. To be completely open to share such instructional packages will demand them to move away or give up the expectation of profits.
• Information Sensitivity - Some organizations will find it impossible to completely share all their information because of information sensitivity and security classification, e.g. the military. Perhaps only very generic information can be put into the open.

Generic informational courses are more likely to make it to become Open Courseware. For example, "Mission Space" above, or "The A-B-Cs Of Creating An Effective EduBlog" at http://edublog101.blogspot.com/ (designed and developed by Jack Sen and me for EME 5603 in Fall 2007). However, courses that an organization wants to protect against business competitors will find it hard to become an Open Courseware, such as a training video for skating instructors that I did for Skate World in Tallahassee under EME 6631.

For my immediate career in a military organization, the chance of designing and developing Open Coursewares is highly remote. However, I may use my skills to help develop some Open Coursewares for nonprofit and non-sensitive set-ups such as my church or for children.

Reflection

Being a graduate with a Computer Science major and an 'apologist', I enjoyed 'fixing bugs' and getting programs to work. This course has opened my perspective of what constitutes a good software/courseware - that it must be effective to communicate its intent, user-friendly, robust, etc. More interestingly, I've learnt quite a number of tools (such as podcast, storyboarding, scenario-based design, tutorial design, game design, quiz building, interactive and multimedia designs, etc.) that I can now selectively put into courseware development.

I've thoroughly enjoyed my journey in this course. I thank Vanessa and all fellow classmates for making my learning journey so rewarding.

~ View my EME 6415 Portfolio ~

God bless!