seminar
Designing for Small Screens: Learning Objects for Educational Applications via Handheld Mobile Technologies
This presentation discusses an ongoing study into issues relevant to the design of learning objects for educational applications via PDA devices. The specific areas of inquiry in this study are: the kinds of learning objects that are effective for PDA delivery; contexts for their effective educational applications; and learning object designs that overcome the limitations of the small display area characteristic of this kind of technology. Data from the study suggests that a learning object effective for PDA delivery should be designed as a resource that supports student-centered learning activities, such as inquiries and problem solving. In particular, two types of learning objects appear to emerge as appropriate for PDA delivery: information objects and conceptual models. The data of this ongoing study also suggests some interesting ideas regarding more effective design of learning objects for delivery via PDA technology. These ideas will be discussed and supported by showcase of examples of learning objects designed in the context of the study.
Daniel Churchill is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education, the University of Hong Kong. Dr Churchill specializes in areas of educational technology in classroom teaching and learning, instructional design, design of e-learning environments and multimedia design. His experience involves classroom and on-line teaching, instructional design and academic staff development. Currently, he has strong interest in socio-cultural psychology of Lev S. Vygotsky, Activity Theory, teacher thinking and technology integration, learning objects, student-centered learning environments and mobile technologies.