Integrating Interactive Media in Courses: The WinEcon Software with Workbook Approach

Abstract: Multimedia learning materials are now available in many academic disciplines. With their interactive and dynamic approach they are potentially a means of improving the quality of student learning. They address students' learning needs in a variety of ways and offer students involve...

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Main Author: Jean B. Soper
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ubiquity Press 1997-10-01
Series:Journal of Interactive Media in Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jime.open.ac.uk/articles/12
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author Jean B. Soper
author_facet Jean B. Soper
author_sort Jean B. Soper
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description Abstract: Multimedia learning materials are now available in many academic disciplines. With their interactive and dynamic approach they are potentially a means of improving the quality of student learning. They address students' learning needs in a variety of ways and offer students involvement in and control over their learning process, even in classes that are larger than traditional tutorial groups. Effective use of these new materials requires, however, that they be integrated with the rest of the course and that students have appropriate support and guidance in their use. The teaching process is defined by <!-- D3E begin insert --><A HREF="references.html#LAURILLARD(1993)" TARGET="reference" NAME="citation0"><!-- D3E end insert -->Laurillard (1993<!-- D3E begin insert --></A><!-- D3E end insert -->) as forming a link between the world and the learner. Not only do we need good educational materials but we also need to use them in a way that enables students to learn from them. This paper shows how different kinds of courseware features help various individuals achieve their learning goals and how a Workbook can complement software, ensuring students get the maximum benefit from the screens. A combination of materials that offer flexibility in use can meet a variety of different learning needs. It can also incorporate a number of different teaching strategies that are recognised as contributing to the advance of learning.The examples shown are taken from the WinEcon economics courseware and an accompanying WinEcon Workbook. WinEcon evaluation results are given, together with information on how the courseware is at present being used. Reviewers: Edith Esch (Cambridge U.), Greg Kearsley (George Washington U.), Agnes Kukulska-Hulme (Open U.) Interactive elements: 'The WinEcon interactive sampler presents a substantial amount of interactive material, and the author's audio-visual slideshow introduces some of the key elements of WinEcon's design.'<div class="demo_container c2"> <A HREF="demo/demo.html"><IMG ALIGN=top SRC="../../resources/icons/demo.gif" BORDER=0 ALT="Demos"></A> Fully interactive 'sampler' demonstrations of WinEcon ('Student' and 'Lecturer' samplers) can be downloaded from the <A HREF="http://www.winecon.com/" TARGET="xref">WinEcon website</A> (samplers require Microsoft Windows 3.1/95/98). The author also describes key features of WinEcon in an <A HREF="demo/demo.html#slides">Audio-visual slideshow</A>. <B>UPDATE: A Web/Java version of WinEcon called <A HREF="http://www.webecon.bris.ac.uk/" TARGET="xref">Web.Econ</A> is now in development.
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spelling doaj.art-4a6afc7fb45042c7b90bbe85c1bfffc82022-12-21T19:40:38ZengUbiquity PressJournal of Interactive Media in Education1365-893X1997-10-011997210.5334/1997-210Integrating Interactive Media in Courses: The WinEcon Software with Workbook ApproachJean B. Soper0Economics Department, University of LeicesterAbstract: Multimedia learning materials are now available in many academic disciplines. With their interactive and dynamic approach they are potentially a means of improving the quality of student learning. They address students' learning needs in a variety of ways and offer students involvement in and control over their learning process, even in classes that are larger than traditional tutorial groups. Effective use of these new materials requires, however, that they be integrated with the rest of the course and that students have appropriate support and guidance in their use. The teaching process is defined by <!-- D3E begin insert --><A HREF="references.html#LAURILLARD(1993)" TARGET="reference" NAME="citation0"><!-- D3E end insert -->Laurillard (1993<!-- D3E begin insert --></A><!-- D3E end insert -->) as forming a link between the world and the learner. Not only do we need good educational materials but we also need to use them in a way that enables students to learn from them. This paper shows how different kinds of courseware features help various individuals achieve their learning goals and how a Workbook can complement software, ensuring students get the maximum benefit from the screens. A combination of materials that offer flexibility in use can meet a variety of different learning needs. It can also incorporate a number of different teaching strategies that are recognised as contributing to the advance of learning.The examples shown are taken from the WinEcon economics courseware and an accompanying WinEcon Workbook. WinEcon evaluation results are given, together with information on how the courseware is at present being used. Reviewers: Edith Esch (Cambridge U.), Greg Kearsley (George Washington U.), Agnes Kukulska-Hulme (Open U.) Interactive elements: 'The WinEcon interactive sampler presents a substantial amount of interactive material, and the author's audio-visual slideshow introduces some of the key elements of WinEcon's design.'<div class="demo_container c2"> <A HREF="demo/demo.html"><IMG ALIGN=top SRC="../../resources/icons/demo.gif" BORDER=0 ALT="Demos"></A> Fully interactive 'sampler' demonstrations of WinEcon ('Student' and 'Lecturer' samplers) can be downloaded from the <A HREF="http://www.winecon.com/" TARGET="xref">WinEcon website</A> (samplers require Microsoft Windows 3.1/95/98). The author also describes key features of WinEcon in an <A HREF="demo/demo.html#slides">Audio-visual slideshow</A>. <B>UPDATE: A Web/Java version of WinEcon called <A HREF="http://www.webecon.bris.ac.uk/" TARGET="xref">Web.Econ</A> is now in development.https://jime.open.ac.uk/articles/12multimediaworkbookseconomicsevaluationWinEcon
spellingShingle Jean B. Soper
Integrating Interactive Media in Courses: The WinEcon Software with Workbook Approach
Journal of Interactive Media in Education
multimedia
workbooks
economics
evaluation
WinEcon
title Integrating Interactive Media in Courses: The WinEcon Software with Workbook Approach
title_full Integrating Interactive Media in Courses: The WinEcon Software with Workbook Approach
title_fullStr Integrating Interactive Media in Courses: The WinEcon Software with Workbook Approach
title_full_unstemmed Integrating Interactive Media in Courses: The WinEcon Software with Workbook Approach
title_short Integrating Interactive Media in Courses: The WinEcon Software with Workbook Approach
title_sort integrating interactive media in courses the winecon software with workbook approach
topic multimedia
workbooks
economics
evaluation
WinEcon
url https://jime.open.ac.uk/articles/12
work_keys_str_mv AT jeanbsoper integratinginteractivemediaincoursesthewineconsoftwarewithworkbookapproach