Volume Two - Academic Conferences

Fabio Serenelli et al.
4. Multimedia materials development and learning settings
4.1 Self directed learning (setting A)
The first part of the research focused on Self-Directed Learning in real contexts, and investigated the
use of different instructional strategies (e.g. Topic-Centered Vs Task-Centered; Linear Vs Game-
Based) handling the learner’s User Experience in order to increase the engagement for the proposed
formats. Considering the target of early adolescents, we introduced a likeable virtual tutor to manage
explanations, feedbacks, and focus on relevant information. We used infographic techniques to
combine analytical and synthetic schemas and to increase the aesthetic satisfaction.
The content design phase was implemented by a small team that produced three multimedia
instructional formats for Self Directed Learning based on to the performance outcomes isolated with
the teacher’s help.
LO1 – Infographic Resume: this analogical learning object was printed on A4, full-colour sheets.
It displays the information by using graphic organizers to visually explain concepts and
connections (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Examples from LO1 – Infographic Resume
LO2 - Step by Step Multimedia: (OLPC Laptop support) this multimedia explanation consists of
a digital step by step animation synchronized with the pedagogical agent narration (see Figure 2).
Audio track of a real voice (in earphones) substitutes most of the texts. The learner manages the
linear animation progress.
Figure 2: Screenshots of LO2 – Step by Step Multimedia
LO3 – Learning-Game: (OLPC Laptop support) similar to a videogame (see Figure 3), the
learner (with earphones) plays with the information, experiencing the causality effects of his/her
actions.
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