Educational Software

Code:

MM0048

Acronym:

SE

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Education

Instance: 2009/2010 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	http://nautilus.fis.uc.pt/personal/jcpaiva/disc/se/rec/
E-learning page:	http://moodle.fe.up.pt/
Responsible unit:	Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Multimedia

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MM	18	Syllabus	1	-	7,5	67	203

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

1. To promote, in a general way, the use of technologies of information and communication for educational purposes.
2. To handle, plan and use educational software and other educational tools for teaching.
3. To improve and acquire new skills to handle digital platforms of learning and tools web 2.0.
4. To expand the range of collaborations.
5. To improve the knowledge related to the process of assessment of educational software parts, based on quality referential solids;
6. To enable, in a supported and progression way, the use of new practices of selection, analysis and assessment of digital resources.
7. To be familiar with the process of production of educational software and the main guidelines.
8. To provide a starting point for a possible design and development of educational software parts.
9. To improve the capacity to present ideas orally in a clear and accurate way.

Program

1. GENERAL NOTIONS OF MULTIMEDIA AND EDUCATION
1.1 The technologies of information and communication on the new society and the new challenges of education.
1.2 The challenges of Web 2.0
1.3 Multimedia matrix and a possible typology of educational software.
1.4 Tools of pedagogic support of digital educational resources: WebQuests

2. DEMONSTRATION, CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE
2.1 Some examples of educational software: nuances and types of use.
2.2 Models and assessment of educational software.
2.3 Quality dimensions of an educational software part.
2.4 Tools and techniques of assessment of educational software.

3. EDUCATIONAL SOFTWARE BACKGROUND: PRODUCTION PROCESS WORKFLOW IN A REAL CASE
3.1 Phase 1: Preparation and scriptwriting
3.2 Phase 2: Illustration
3.3 Phase 3: Development
3.4 Phase 4: Checking/Correction/Approval

Teaching methods and learning activities

The content of this course unit is mainly, but not exclusively, taught in classes.
All texts, simulations and materials needed for this course unit (including the ones referred in this page) are available on e-learning platform. This virtual area strengths and extends the period of class, in space and time: discussions may be carried on in forums, texts extend readings, simulations may be re-visited and students’ documents may be shared. The course unit is thus based on a combination of a virtual and real attendance, called b-learning (blended learning).
Some parts of classes will be “magisterial” (in the good sense of the word), being students encouraged to participate. Power point presentation will used in order to guide students. Additionally, simulations, digital games, dynamic figures and other tools of virtual environment will also be used.
A bibliography list both in printed and digital version will be available.
Classes will be mostly proactive, being students encouraged to participate and occasionally small work groups will be constituted. Students will have to perform some projects and tasks, which will have to be performed individually and in group. The assignments (review of scientific papers, descriptive assessment of educational software parts, WebQuests, participation in digital forums, etc.) will have to be uploaded into the digital platform of the course unit, and some of them, have to be orally presented. Generally printed versions of the assignments will not be used.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Eligibility for exams

Students have to attend 2/3 of classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

The assessment of this course unit will comprise formative and continuous components, by combining flexible parameters with more “conventional” ones, such as a test.
Self-assessment and peer-assessment of the presentations in theoretical-practical classes. Professors will moderate classes and make sure good sense and transparency is reached. The assessment of the practical assignments depends on their quality and presentation. The participation in forums will be critically assessed by the professor, being calculated the frequency of posts (information provided by the platform background) and the quality of the inputs will be assessed.
Students’ activities will be delimited by four criteria:
a) scientific accuracy; b) creativity/originality; c) clarity and d) endeavour/presentation.
It will take place a short test with a group of open questions (students choose two out of three questions) and it is worth 20% of the final grade.
Assignments and exam will be graded from 0 to 20 and the final grade will be based on the following components:
1- Continuous assessment
2- Assessment of three assignments and (possible) presentations, preferably in group.
3- Final test (in one of the last classes)

The assessment components are worth:
A – 60% of the final grade: Execution, (possible) presentation and discussion of the assignments (20% each)
B – 20% of the final grade: Final written test
C- 20% of the final grade: Regular attendance, punctuality, endeavour during the semester and “subjectivities”
Final grade: 0.2 X (Σ grade of the assignments + B + C)

The test will act as a summary aiming at organising students’ knowledge of educational multimedia and their future prospects, rather than developing their systematic knowledge of the course unit themes.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Working students maybe attend less than 1/3 of classes.

Classification improvement

Students may not improve their grades.