A Design Model for Educational Multimedia Software

André Koscianski, Denise do Carmo Farago Zanotto

UTFPR, Ponta Grossa, Brazil.

DOI: 10.4236/ce.2014.523224                

Abstract

The design and implementation of educational software call into play two well established domains: software engineering and education. Both fields attain concrete results and are capable of making predictions in the respective spheres of action. However, at the intersection, the reports about the development of computer games and other educational software reiterate similar difficulties and an embarrassing degree of empiricism. This study aims to bring a contribution, presenting a model for the conception of educational multimedia software by multidisciplinary teams. It joins three elements: Ausubel’s theory of meaningful learning; the theory of multimedia from Mayer; and the study of software ergonomics. The structure proposed here emerged from a theoretical study with the concurrent development of software. Observations gathered in a small scale test confirmed the expected design issues and the support provided by the model. Limitations and possible directions of study are discussed.

Keywords

Multimedia, Educational Software Design, Pedagogic Issues

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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