Discuss: Identify issues and provide points for and/or against.
The information system's environment, influences and is influenced by the school environment. In saying this within this environment are year 12 students, teachers and parents . As for outside the school environment is also web designers. Thus they pose as environmental factors that have influenced the design of the multimedia system. Furthermore there were a number of ways, our team had addressed such factors.
- Year 12 students (part of the school environment): The design of the information system- the website was catered for the educating of year 12 students studying Communication Systems according to the syllabus. As the main objective of this assignment was to "create a hypermedia tutorial that could be used to instruct year 12 students on various aspects of Communication Systems as outline in the year 12 syllabus", the website had to cater to the needs of the students. It had to include a number of tools that not only allowed students to learn effectively but enhance their knowledge accordingly.It had to be user friendly and enable them to navigate through each page with ease, gaining knowledge from each resourceful tool. Thus the way that year 12 students learnt and understood was taken into account and influenced the design of the multimedia tutorial. Furthermore, my team and I addressed this, by creating a multimedia website, that did not have only summarised text on each page, that didn't satisfy the various learners (such as visual learners). Instead we had multimedia aids that were entertaining and allowed for the students to easily understand the content of the question. For example, instead of creating a powerpoint and providing a downloadable link, we used Prezi. Which was an enhanced version of a powerpoint, but was a 'zooming presentation'. It incorporated multiple features such as zooming in on images, text and video rather than the simple transitions on Microsoft Powerpoint. We also embedded the presentation so students were just a click away from viewing it. Also another example, was the news broadcast video we created for the question on error detection, which had summarised information on the bottom of the webpage ( in bullet points). The video, was not only entertaining but gave a case study on where error detection can occur. Other various aspects that our team had applied, included background music and the background image on the welcome page. Which gives immediate attraction to the website making the student wanting to enter. Moreover we also included activities, such as the crossword for the question on transmission media, to allow students to gain knowledge from different ways of learning. The storytelling animation is another way that our team had addressed the environment factors. Another key feature was the tips and tricks page which caters for year 12 students, giving tips on coping with the HSC using appropriate study techniques. Overall, through the use of images, videos, colourful text was the way our team had addressed the needs year 12 students. Thus they had a great influence on the designing of the hypermedia tutorial.
- Teachers (part of the school environment): The information system- the website was also designed in such a way so as to provide tools for teachers to educate year 12 students on Communication Systems according to the syllabus. As the hypermedia tutorial was created for use by year 12 students studying Communication Systems, teachers are also an indirect source of receiving the information. In saying this, if teachers find the website effective and helpful in teaching their students about the topic, then they can not only use the website to teach the students but also recommend them to the website. Through the various aids such as videos, activities, colourful text and image, our team has addressed this environmental factor.
- Parents (part of the school community): The information system- the website was designed in such as way so as to enable parents to know their child is learning the specific topic according to the year 12 IPT syllabus. Once again, through the various learning aids that encompasses aspects of multimedia, our team had addressed the expectation of parents. In saying this, if parents are reviewing the work being done by their child, through looking at the resources they are using, the hypermedia tutorial in the form of a website, can meet their expectations and show that their child is learning effectively.
Prezi- The Zooming Presentation.
Videos- a helpful learning tool.
A storytelling animation ( uploaded on Youtube by one of the team members)- a helpful learning tool.
A powerpoint presentation- just a click away.
Colourful text- a useful aid.
- Web designers: Have also influenced the designing of the information system- the website as they ensure the social and ethical factors of developing the multimedia tutorial website. That is not only effective in teaching year 12 students, but is also relevant to the use by teachers. In saying this, our team ( being the web designers) have addressed this, through the inclusion of a terms and conditions page. Which requires the users to agree ( or disagree) to the use of the website and its content. Moreover, if users have no internet access at home (equality) to view the hypermedia tutorial, particular aspects of the website have downloadable links to open to documents (crosswords, tips and tricks which are printable, a study timetable template ) and powerpoint presentations. In saying this, another person can give the student without internet access a copy of the documents, allowing them to utilise some of the aids by the website. Yet as they are year 12 student, internet access can be available at their school, allowing them to then utilise all of the aids provided by the website.
Terms and Conditions of using the website.
A link that can be downloaded, saved on a USB and given to a student without internet access.
Sanea.
