|
Maria (Hyeseung) Chang, University of Texas at Austin
MariaChang25@gmail.com
Maria lead a roundtable discussion titled "Designing and Developing a Computer Based GED Mathematics Tutorial Program: From Cognitive Load and Motivational
Perspectives" (#19588) The program is under development and features an "exam driven", i.e. competency based, approach to specific learning concepts. The
learning object onscreen includes features intended to reduce extraneous cognitive load and increase both germane and motivational cognitive load. Features
include video and audio clips to explain topics and answers to questions in a progressive manner. We agreed that the tutorial approach could help some learners,
but that many would require additional links to other resources at plain language levels and with more fundamental and detailed explanations
Learning content for Aboriginal learners would have to include motivational cognitive features of interest to Aboriginal people. For example, references to
Aboriginal experience, communities and histories to illustrate learning concepts in math and science. The use of video and audio clips to animate explanations
will reduce extraneous cognitive load for some Aboriginal learners as long as the learner's objectives are well defined and a direct route to the learning
outcome is provided.
The following evaluation was conducted by National Adult Literacy Database (NALD).
http://www.nald.ca/software/project.pdf
This formative evaluation of the National Adult Literacy Database (NALD) software evaluation project, "The Evaluation of Educational Freeware and Shareware Software Programs as Effective Resources for Adult Literacy Training Programs" (referred to as the Software Evaluation Project), is undertaken to demonstrate both the process and results of the software evaluation project.
The project’s aim was to evaluate a collection of freeware and shareware software; generally the software programs were intended for use in educational settings to provide instruction in literacy, computer, and math basics. Charles Ramsey, Executive Director of NALD, convened representatives from six adult literacy centres across Canada to plan and implement the evaluation of the software by each centre’s participants. The centres involved were located in Delta, British Columbia; Edmonton, Alberta; Yorkton, Saskatchewan; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Fredericton, New Brunswick; Riverview, New Brunswick; and St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.
The project also aimed at making the tabulated results of the evaluations available through NALD. Adult literacy trainers and program coordinators are thus spared the time-consuming processes of finding and evaluating software, because the programs are archived in one place (i.e., the NALD website), evaluations prepared by the adult learners’ peers are available, and pricing information is provided. NALD is also distributing the software on CD-ROM.
Adult literacy learners received instruction in evaluation procedures, strengthened their skills by using the various pieces of software, and built self-esteem through their involvement as evaluators in a national project.
A key value underlying this project was collaboration – in developing the project’s documents, in sharing the software widely, in the evaluation processes, and in carrying out all the project activities. Copies of the forms and descriptions of the procedures developed during this project are included in this report.
During the project, 440 software programs were reviewed; programs found to be ineffective or inappropriate were excluded. The evaluation results of the 107 programs that were rated most useful for adults are available on the NALD website.
The evaluation results, along with useful, low- or no-cost software, will also be distributed on a CD-ROM.
Observations in the six participating centres demonstrated that participants grew as learners, developed pride, gained technological literacy, and developed interpersonal skills and self efficacy.
Back to Deep Thoughts...
|
