Design Factors for Educational Software

A Case Study

Dave Catlin

CEO, Valiant Technology

MathAmigo – a Case Study

Issues Educational Managing Resources Technical Factors Design Considerations

Your Helping Hand

Maths Software for KS1, KS2 and KS3

Need?

Develop a Mathematics Product– USP– Open Solution

Research Mathematics Teaching– Drive to raise performance– Teacher’s Time

Use of ICT?

Most Effective: – Conventional Instruction alone– Technology alone– Teachers and technology working together

Effectiveness– Learn Faster– Remember more– Positive attitudes

Various papers: Dalton & Hannifin

NCET ILS Research

Management Model Pedagogical Issues

Summary

Technology

Handheld Research and Viability

AlphaSmart/Brain Box Southampton University Handheld Project

– Privacy– Immediate Feedback: Encouraging Trial and

Improvement Strategies– Games type environment

Briggs and Meredith

MathAmigo System

Personalised Activities

Results

MathAmigo Manager

A Handheld Environment

•Personalised

•Privacy

•Motivation

•Student Interaction

•Feedback

•Tutorial Support

•Performance Adjustment

•Teacher Alert

• Analysis

• Monitor Work

Modes of Use

School Ownership– Individual– Shared

Student Ownership

Which Handheld?

Classic MathAmigo Palm

Basic Issues

Screen Human Interface Memory Processor Speeds Communications Duty Cycle Durability Power Supply

Communications

IR Bluetooth WiFi

Usability

Duty Cycle Durability Power Supply

Form Factors

Screen – Size– Resolution

Human Interface Navigation Methods

The Future

Personalised Learning needs personal technology

Personal technology will take many forms: in the next decade the computer will leave its box and come in many shapes and forms