Bradley, Claire
Haynes, Richard
Boyle, Tom
Can rich interactive multimedia learning experiences be created for adults to use on a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)? This was the research question that prompted this exploratory work into creating mobile learning applications. The result is the development of two prototypes of multimedia learning applications for the PDA. The first is a mobile local history tour designed to support informal learning. The second is a learning object on Java programming for higher education students, which has been adapted for the PDA. The applications will be briefly described, with the underlying design and pedagogic principles. Both have been evaluated with representative target users, and the remainder of the paper will focus on the user experience of using the applications and the PDA in these two distinct learning scenarios. Despite their differences, a number of themes emerge. Some of these were expected such as the advantages afforded by mobility and portability and the new learning spaces that become available. Others not anticipated relate to the learning experience the PDA provides. Both user groups particularly liked the use of audio: for example “audio provided real depth to the tour”, “I learn more by hearing”. The students found the PDA object “much more interactive”, “more understandable” and particularly liked it because it “is smaller than a book”. The paper presents more of the in-depth and rich feedback from users, illustrating the success of this research.
Adult Multimedia Learning with PDAs – The User Experience
No comments:
Post a Comment