PLA MULTIMEDIA PROJECT Selia Karsten JULY 1993 The work on this project falls into the following categories: 1. research by reading and interview: a. portfolio development curriculum b. distance learning with educational video format c. software design for computer assisted learning 2. develop working relationships a. with Seneca and Mohawk Colleges regarding PLA project b. with TV Ontario Distance Learning division c. with Commodore/Amiga corporation, dealers and instructors d. with community resources 3. become familiar with delivery media and methodology a. establishing a work station at Seneca and at home b. becoming familiar with home studies course packages at TVO c. learning graphics and authoring tools on Amiga platform d. experiencing a variety of educational software programs PLA-MM JULY p2 1. RESEARCH BY READING AND INTERVIEWS: (A) PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT & ADULT LEARNING: PURPOSES & STRATEGIES by Alan Mandell & Elana Michelson ASSESSING LEARNING; A CAEL HANDBOOK FOR FACULTY by Simosko and Associates (Council for Adult and Experiential Learning) PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT: THE PORTFOLIO by Marthe Sansregret PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT FOR ASSESSMENT OF PRIOR LEARNING Independent Study manual, Ohio University PORTFOLIO ASSESSMENT HANDBOOK Thomas A Edison State College ASSESSING LEARNING: STANDARDS, PRINCIPLES, & PROCEDURES by Urban Whitaker EARNING COLLEGE CREDIT FOR PRIOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: STUDENT HANDBOOK ON EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT AND PORTFOLIO PREPARATION Vermont State Colleges EARNING COLLEGE CREDIT FOR PRIOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: INSTRUCTOR MANUAL Vermont State Colleges PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT INDEPENDENT STUDY PACKAGE (EDUCATIONAL PLANNING FOR ADULT LEARNERS) Roberta Burke, Mohawk College (B) DISTANCE LEARNING - EDUCATIONAL VIDEO FORMAT DISTANCE LEARNING DIVISION 1993 SPRING/SUMMER CALENDAR TV Ontario PLA-MM July p3 (C) SOFTWARE DESIGN FOR COMPUTER ASSISTED LEARNING EXPLORING REQUIREMENTS; QUALITY BEFORE DESIGN by Donald C. Cause & Gerald M. Weinberg Project notes - MultiMedia Project 1993 at Seneca College Discussions with Robert Jones, Sheridan College (MM project leader) Interview Jim Meyer, University of Toronto, Faculty of Education, MM:Lab Assistant to Bob Cook. Has designed program using Amiga/Can-Do Interview and 2 classes with Paul McCoy (Intro to Graphics I & II using Deluxe Paint IV)$60. Demonstration of Can-Do authoring software. One day workshop on AmigaVision Professional with Liz Wilde.$15 2. DEVELOP WORKING RELATIONSHIPS (A) With Seneca and Mohawk Colleges re: PLA Have met with Carol Henry, Director of Access regarding my role in the PLA MultiMedia Project. She has given me reading material on Portfolio Development and a disk containing the Mohawk workbook on Portfolio Development for revision purposes. A mailbox has been established for me at Newnham Campus. Pending the completion of the new CEE and computer lab for PD and testing, a specific workstation will be set up for me. For the time being, I will work from my home, reporting regularly by phone and periodically with reports on my progress. Have met with Corinne Falconer and Rosemary Liu regarding the computer hardware that has arrived from Commodore. A discrepancy in purchase orders re: software has been reviewed and a new purchase order sent to the software retailer. I have kept Corinne and Rosemary advised as to progress (and setbacks) visavi software purchase and installation. It has been agreed that a meeting will be needed as soon as possible when Marilyn returns August 2 in order to clarify the situation with Commodore regarding their support in this project. I have discussed the location of the work station with CEE assistant Lynda Jones. She has offered to let me use space in her area once the installations have been made. This would be a temporary arrangement until the new computer lab is ready. PLA-MM July p4 (B) With TV Ontario Distance Learning Division I have been in frequent phone contact with Cathy Boak, Project Officer, Home Studies, TVO. On July 27 I attended a meeting with Cathy Boak and Fraser Steele, Producer of the project's video. At this meeting it was established that I will be the Consultant to the video. In this capacity I will begin to work with the writer for the video and have been requested to identify four possible characters for the series. I was given a brief treatment for the video. A summary of notes taken by Anne Dichtenberg, Project Officer at previous planning meetings will be forthcoming. It is expected that another meeting will be scheduled with Roberta Burke (Mohawk), Carol Henry, Anne and Cathy and the producer to be clear on the organization of content. It was suggested that I attend upcoming orientation sessions for Portfolio Development classes to get ideas which may be helpful for the 15 minute orientation tape which will accompany the four half-hour segments which make up this series. The series will be done as a docu-drama mixing actors with real people and experts. Of the four main characters, the host will be the mentor who has already completed the PLA process. He will help to direct and analyse the three learners who represent the main target audience. A studio set representing the mentor's place of business will serve as the primary location with cutaways to experiences and activities in other places with real people - experts, consultants, and others one would typically meet during this process. (C) With Commodore/Amiga I have been in regular contact with the dealer through whom the software has been purchased - Willy Tam, Amsoft. We have discussed the various problems regarding the purchase order, estimated arrival time of the items ordered, specific requirements regarding installation of these items. I will be notified as soon as all of the items have arrived on his premises, ready for delivery. He has agreed to work with Commodore technicians regarding installation. PLA-MM July p5 I have had several discussions with Noreen Lanahan, Educational Division regarding Commodore's part in this project. I have been advised that Noreen will be away and future assistance will be given by Stephen Gillies. I have been given the name of the Manager of technicians, Rainer Scharnke to contact regarding the upgrading of my own 3000 system so that it will be adequate for the project. Any upgrades to DOS will be gratis - any chip requirements will mean a nominal charge. I have been informed that Steven Vetzal, Amiga product and support, has agreed to install the software acquired to the 4000. I have been given a reference number CF#235356 for the work being done by Commodore. I have agreed that the Amigavision Professional software will be installed on the 4000 in substitution for two back-ordered packages needed for the project (Deluxe Paint IV and Art Department Professional). These software packages will now need to be ordered through the dealer, Willy Tam, Amsoft. In order to bring my own system up to project standards I plan to acquire a multi-synch monitor and a modem when finances allow. I am currently paying off the upgrade to the 3000 hard drive machine. I have enrolled in a week-long training on the Amiga using Deluxe Paint IV and Amigavision through the Scarborough Board of Ed. This workshop takes place August 31-September 3 at a cost of $190. Liz Wilde is the instructor. (D) With Community Resources I have been spending time at OISE compiling a list of reference materials on computer software design. With the assistance of Cathy Winterton, librarian, I have been able to examine educational software. I have made telephone contact with Ruth Marks who is responsible for the ordering of educational software at OISE and hope to meet with her soon regarding successful programs. I have acquired a computer printout of over 100 articles related to PLA and software design. I have also been spending time at the University of Toronto, Department of Education MultiMedia lab, TEL Centre. The director, Bob Cook recommended selected programs for me to look at. TEL Centre assistant, Jim Meyer helped me location programs and materials for use in the centre. PLA-MM July p6 I have been consulting with Bob Jones, Sheridan, regarding the planning of the design for the software. Yes Oh Yes Drama Outreach, Managing Director, Daryl Mahabir, well versed in Amiga systems has offered to help with software installation as needed. 3. DELIVERY MEDIA AND METHODOLOGY (A) Work station at Seneca Discussions continue regarding the location. Until the software has been installed on the equipment (now stored in Lynda Jones office), I will carry on working at home on programs installed on my own machine. (B) Home Study Courses at TVO I have viewed and taken notes on the following programs produced by project Producer Fraser Steele: "A Sense of Design": programs 1 through 7 "The Science of Architecture" "Putting On the Arts" "Marketing for Everyone" "Introduction to Literature" : two programs I continue to view a variety of other Home Study programs available through TVO. (C) Graphics and Authoring Tools At home I have been working with Deluxe Paint III and Photon Paint grahics packages. I have also been going through tutorials for authoring programs Scala MultiMedia 200 and Hyperbook. At the TEL Centre I have experimented with Mac versions of Hypercard authoring and MacPaint graphics. (D) Educational Software Programs At OISE I have gone through "Insight", a Career Guidance program, taking notes on the design and process. I also viewed "That's My Story" program. PLA-MM July p7 At the TEL Centre I viewed a number of programs: "Sitting on the Farm" which uses CD-ROM. "Mathblaster Mystery", "Once Upon A Time", "The Writing Center", "Grammatik", "Prime Lines". I will continue to examine educational software as part of my research. SUMMARY: The three weeks in July have been spent in what could be aptly called Research and Development. With delays in establishing my work station and getting set up with the appropriate equipment, I have had the opportunity to work with the materials at hand. I understand that I have a great deal of learning to do in order to be able to use the computer skillfully for developing the software component of the project. I realize that most software development projects are done by a team which covers the following roles: Program Designer: responsible for content adaptation, interface design, sound effects integration and project management. Art Director: responsible for pictoral definitions, icons, animations, and graphics integration. Lead Programmer: responsible for program structure and programming Assistants for graphics, animation and programming. With this in mind, I plan to simplify the design and plan very carefully in order to use my skills optimally. I also am aware that I will need to attract as much technical support as possible. So far, it appears that the primary function of the software will be to assist the learner with the task of translating experience into learning outcomes. The objective of the TVO series is "to make a general audience aware of this process, to understand what it is like to experience this process and to motivate them to try this process. Exact instructional material about the process will fall largely to the print material". I would like to wed the three components by using graphics from the software program in desktop illustrations for the workbook. I plan to digitize images from the video to work within the software program. This way there will be a visual continuity to the work coming out of the project. PLA-MM July p8 I project that August will be a month of continued research and development. I will continue to read materials pertaining to portfolio development and software design. I will begin meeting with the writer of the TVO series to develop a script. My first assignment is to come up with ideas for the four characters. I will spend time in tutorials to learn the tools necessary for the software design and production. I will attend any meetings regarding all aspects of the project. I am keeping a daily log of the work being done from which reports will be made as requested. I would like to make arrangements for ordering such supplies as printer paper and ribbons used in the project. If possible I would like to order a card once my location at Newnham is established. This will be very helpful in establishing credibility with those experts in the community I will be contacting in future. Selia Karsten CC: Carol Henry Marilyn Welsh Lynda Jones