REQUIREMENTS FOR LIVE AND LEARN PROGRAM: 1. Help user learn how to translate learning outcomes from life experience. A. Direct user to identify and extract experiences and cluster them into related groups. B. Rewrite experiences in consistent format C. Review descriptors of learning outcomes D. Match experience to learning E. List learning outcomes clearly - cluster results 2. Use appropriate examples to illustrate experience - relate to each character in the TV series. 3. Use decision tree model for overview PROBLEM: People have difficulty identifying what they have learned from their experiences. Want a program that is WISE as an OWL - sensitive, alert, precise - analytical and helpful in judging best choices as ACTIVE and EXPLORATORY as a HONEYBEE - gather together all past experiences, clustering results, well-organized as DYNAMIC and COLOURFUL as a DRAGON - eye-catching, energetic, appealing, positive presentation as VERSITILE and FLEXIBLE as an OCTOPUS - branching arms, variety of activities, creative approaches SOLUTION: User will be able to recognize and identify experiences and follow a clear and simple procedure for listing learning outcomes, enjoying the experience each step of the way. CLIENT: Distance learner with home computer - going through the portfolio development process with workbook and video. SOLUTION: takes the "most difficult" procedure of the course and makes it rewarding exercise REASON TO SOLVE PROBLEM: This process has been identified by facilitators and students as the major stumbling block in the process of portfolio development. TEAM: Selia Karsten with technical support from Lynda Jones and a co- opstudent from SCA. Additional technical support promised by Commodore. Advisors: Carol Henry, Roberta Burke, Marilyn Welsh. Unofficially may be able to get feedback from Bob Jones, Maureen Kennedy Baker, Liz Wilde, and others who are familiar with either design, Amiga programs or PLA process. User groups and Bulletin boards. Friends willing to brainstorm with me. page 2 Live and Learn requirements TIME TO DESIGN: Storyboard by December 1993. Stock graphics constructed throughout the fall. Video images digitized as available early 94. Authoring January - April 94. Testing, debugging May. Final copy packaged June 94. TRADE OFF BETWEEN TIME AND VALUE: Needs to be kept simple in order to have time to do well. The best will come is planned very carefully, in detail. WHERE ELSE CAN SOLUTION BE OBTAINED? workbooks, course study guides SOME PROCEDURES CAN BE ADAPATED FROM EXISTING WORKBOOKS PROBLEMS THE PRODUCT SOLVES: Time for this process reduced Understanding process clarified Enjoyment level enhanced Frustration level reduced PROBLEMS CREATED: Platform requirements: IBM,MAC,AMIGA speed and memory needed may limit access ENVIRONMENT PRODUCT LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER: Busy household with lots of distractions; procrastinating users afraid of failure PRECISION REQUIRED: Program needs to be on one disk Easily operated by average home user Clear, unambiguous instructions Small modules requiring 20-30 minutes average QUESTIONS: in final analysis what does MINISTRY expect? " " " " " SENECA? " " " " " FACILITATORS/TUTORS? " " " " " USERS? POSSIBLE USERS: Students enrolled in portfolio development Facilitators of portfolio development Job skills programs? page 3 Live and Learn requirements PROGRAM - FRIENDLY QUALITIES Easy to use colourful simple directions good examples opportunity to practice skills review testing of skills easy to select information user modifiable entertaining looks good self-contained efficient has "help" can be duplicated for distribution participation can be at discreet intervals UNFRIENDLY users who have difficulties with English language (ESL) requires experience of involvement in course/workbook/video WHY IT MIGHT FAIL: too simplistic or childish/ dismissable too dense - takes too much power, speed to operate lack of user involvement - not motivated lack of distribution - how packaged irrelevant - user doesn't require hard to understand WHAT IF it can't be done on Amiga: TRY IBM or MAC WHAT IF too big, complicated: SIMPLIFY, REDUCE WHAT IF problems with programming elements: GET SUPPORT 3 WISHES: If everything goes well, then it will be packaged with video and workbook and distributed to all colleges in Ontario, available to all participants in PLA MISSING in products viewed: playfulness, fun, humour, colourful graphics, unambiguous directions, enhancing sound effects and music PREVIOUS PROJECT SCRAPPED WHAT?: Music, Sound effects, built-in mini wordprocessor due totime constraints. COmplex models were difficult toconstruct, very time consuming. Animation - time and expertise lacking. No video or CD ROM - cost factor. page 4 Live and Learn requirements OBJECTIVES Software consistent with workbook and video, enhances both. No great technical knowledge needed to operate Small modules - able to save work and know where to start again. Copyrights OK for images from video digitized into program Learners are encouraged tothink aboutwhat they know and what they are learning (ACTIVE) User can proceed without manual Lots of useful ONSCREEN instructions "Click Here" messages generic HELP and specific HELP appealing ICONS logically representative Tells a story Meaningful decisions Strong integration of text and graphics Positional symbolism Understanding of where this learning fits in the process