Fin McMorran, Senior Lecturer in Computing @ Northumbria, on the new
Multimedia computing course, background in Fine Art(MA, Sheffield) and an
interest in the use of Multimedia interactivity in Art works.
I also studied MSc in Multimedia in Education(Huddersfield) and have an
interest in the use of interactive comuting applications as an educational
tool.
I agree with Paul Skett's comments about keping perspective and the need to
regard the computer as a facilitation tool. Particularly we need to look at
the way the open web is used and how we can help students develop a critical
awareness of this potential source.
I am also interested in/ concerned by the potential this huge resource and
powerful tool has for reducing some of our learning to a vicarious or
virtual experience. Obviously interactive applications can be used to
provide genuine learning experiences with a value equal to or even greater
value than existing real-life and classroom experiences to which we steer
our students. The success of this is connected with the issue of integration
and how the materials are actually used. This argues for close collaboration
between "teachers" and "developers" but not just at a level of consultation
re a particular application or the decision whether or not to incorporate it
into a given educational setting. As educators we need a minimum level of
understanding and appreciation of the opportunities/ threats/possible
functionality of such applications so we can construct a wish list. The
commercial "edutainment" paradigm (although some of it is very good)is in
danger of setting a standard for educators not familiar with computer
assisted learning systems and, perhaps, of taking over the world?
Fin McMorran
Senior Lecturer, Multimedia
University of Northumbria
0191 227 3585
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