Revelations

Today’s first task was to develop a brief plan for the early aspects/tasks of my project. However even though hours were spent on the project, this plan failed to materialize. Not a negative though. Upon entering into this task, I dived straight into the grasp of my research and project and I came across two revelations.

What on? The scale of the project and the form of the project I was looking to achieve.

I always knew this project was research based, which I started even before I brainstormed my idea. A negative no, because of this head start on the research, I have not got to a level of understanding of e-learning, allowing me to make educated decisions on the project that I couldn't have made prior. For my double project I wanted to THINK BIG without limitations, though I'm not a fool for not being realistic. So now I'm in the right position to make further decisions. I've decided to scale the project down.

My ideas prior were:

Firstly an online artefact not on a particular topic aimed at primary school kids to assist and enhance their learning. A user login start, where they fill in a questionnaire, which defines them as a learner and advices them on ways to enhance their learning, any data being sent to a user section. The content itself is different testing/training options, brain training games, questionnaires, IQ tests, general knowledge. Similar concept too many of the brain training artefacts available, but mine being designed specifically for primary school kids. Main features: gives user individualized attention/advice, improves the Childs learning over time.

An online environment, where primary students can log in to access resources, links, keywords on topics for independent study and tests within these topics, with results being calculated and sent to a user section to be viewed as graphs and progress reports, also included would be advice personalised to this results. A blog / discussion area to which can be used to discuss the topics, share views/ideas and resources. Main features: frequently updated, student can view own progress, student given individualised advice and independent student study.

Very large scale projects just for one person, on a shoe string budget, with not a day to waste. Even with my plan to hire a programmer for the scripting of the artefact, to allow me to spend more time on the research, design and evaluation, which takes up the majority of the project.
When compared to many e-learning projects I have come across on my research, designed now or 10 years prior, there is no contest my project would not be in the same league. For my project to stand its ground amongst the thousands of e-learning tools, even the poor ones it needs to be scale down in order for a better product. Its final a smaller project it is.

My second revelation came later after a much needed break. What type of project would I hope to achieve?

I wanted it to be online, not, CD edutainment, multimedia authoring tool or video streaming. But did I want it to be an interactive textbook or an expressive medium?

The first being as it sounds and what we know it as, the second being more than the first, a medium that allows the student to make use of the medium how they choose, but does not evolve around technology and encourages hands on experiences and learning and using the medium two join the two experiences at best advantage.
The second is more exciting as an approach to e-learning, on that I choose for my project.

Both revelations have moulded my final idea.
(Sorry for the long post, it’s been tough).