I found something today that I have never come across before..
The term is, 'Edutainment'.
I thought it relevant to instructional design because they are similar. To explain, instructional design uses forms of multimedia to convey knowledge whilst edutainment IS a form multimedia that conveys knowledge. That is, it instructs its audience by integrating lessons in a form of entertainment.
As I have read, edutainments' main purpose is to change a students behavior. Many also believe that it is a basis for teaching in a more effective and efficient manner.
Hmm, interesting stuff aye? haha (perhaps not?).
Anyway, this highlights another thought I had whilst writing this post...
SO...
Is learning purely or can only be recognised, by a change in behaviour???
The reason I ask this is because, how does a teacher gauge the level of knowledge and understanding if for instance, the learning is purely multimedia based?
For instance, if the teacher is using audio and pictures to convey meaning, how does he/she know that that meaning is being absorbed?
I suppose the answer would be to have the student create something using multimedia that shows that he/she has understood..or perhaps instructional design/multimedia based learning needs to include that 'human touch' as well? eg. face to face learning/discussion.
Meh.I dont know. You tell me..
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Yet another drunken costumed (and dare I say somewhat skanky-fied?) photo of me. Will I ever learn?
To all that enter..This blog will b used to ponder the in's and out's of Instructional Design of Multimedia.It is a Blog dedicated to the subject so that we all may gain a better understanding and as many insights as possible.That is,this site is to be a forum for discussion and debate.Nevertheless,whilst this may b so,remember that like most people who cannot keep to one topic,I will also welcome discussions of any other kind.Related to the topic or not..Hope to chat to u all soon! :)
Today's Famous Quote...
"There are two ways of constructing a design..One is to make it so simple that there are obviously no deficiencies, and the other way is to make it so complicated that there are no obvious deficiencies.The first method is far more difficult."
-C.A.R.Hoare
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Yet another drunken costumed (and dare I say somewhat skanky-fied?) photo of me. Will I ever learn?
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A little about me
- Elle Rockman
- Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
5 comments:
Hi elle
There are some really interesting issues you have brought up here. I believe that learners will get much more out of the learning experience if they are enjoying the overall experience instead of sitting there saying "boring" in the heads.
I don't think teachers can ever be sure if their students have fully absorbed the information being presented but only try a combination of methods to ensure that they do get the majority.
If anyone is interested i have posted on my blog an article about multimedia and intrinsic learning that is relevent to elle's article here.
Hi Elle,
Edutainment is a really interesting concept. One question I have is... how much of
it is education and how much of it is entertainment?
Is the entertainment aspect designed to be a "sweetener", so to speak, that allows
the student to access and absorb the learning easier? Or is edutainment something
that promarily entertains... oh, and if something educational is learnt then that's
a bonus?
I imagine it can be either of the above extremes.... which is more effective?
It makes me think of fables as an example of edutainment...an entertaining story
with a moral designed to educate.
All just thoughts!
Cheers,
Em
Hi Emily
I love the comment about Fables as being an image when you think about edutainment.
The question about where is the line between education and entertainment is an interesting one. I guess subliminal messaging forms a part of this technique.
The danger with any education delivery is the use of humour for example. Nake it too humouros and the message is lost although the learners have enjoyed.
If you look at traditional methods of learning you run the risk of someone delivering a dry topic and helping you snooze.
So in my mind, entertainment can be used to get across a key topic but must have a suitable tone and message
Naomi
Hi Elle
Edutainment includes the fun element into education. I think its so important to make learning fun ... how else are we going encourage people into lifelong learning.
What makes it tricky is how do you assess someone on-line? How do you know that mum, dad & Barney the dog are not helping the candidate with her/his assessment?
regards Marguerite
Yeh I agree with you Mark. A student isnt going to learn anything if they think the content and the way it is delivered is boring. Hence one of the reasons for this subject really!
I also agree that teachers cannot have full knowledge of whether students are absorbing the information they are being taught. Yes, you can have some indication through assessment but really, it is not until you use the information in 'real life' that it can be seen as learning (i.e knowledge has been transferred).
Hi Emily, thanks for your thoughts! Really relevant and something I really didnt ponder on when writing the post. You would hope that learning is the main underlying goal in anything that is Edutainment but perhaps not. It reminds me of the teletubbies. SOMEHOW that is meant to be educational but it is so covered with entertainment that you wouldnt even notice if it did or didnt have educational content.
This relates to what you said Naomi. There is definately a fine line between the education and entertainment. And its the way you send across those messeges that is the determining factor.
That is a good point Marguerite. On-line learning doesnt monitor WHO is actually doing the learning/assessment etc. It is like Paul Hanrahan said in class remember? He did a comp course and the only requirement was to complete in x amount of days. For all anyone knew, he could of asked someone else to do the course.
Speaking about online-learning, here is a link my post on Simones Blog. Its about the advantages and disadvantages of Online learning.
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=3608574328342202641&postID=3216284130720693306
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