Project Description

The Multimedia Matrix

The matrix template consists of a number of "cells" which may be populated with content or resources which are required for the student to carry out their study of a particular topic. These are as follows:

1. Topic in Context - an overview of the topic and its place in the whole curriculum. The relevance of the topic to the profession is also a key aspect.
2. Topic resources - these are not directly linked to any one theme or activity but rather are more global to the topic eg Extended readings or digressions may be placed in the resource area.
3. Themes - In order to create a single environment for students that is self contained but has interconnecting parts, the template allows for the creation of several themes. Each of these may have its own set of activities and resources. Generally, a concept map will be provided to highlight the links between themes for students.
4. Activities - these are the problems and instructions that guide students through the resources and learning experiences designed for them. They may be supported by media of a range of types or may refer the student to resources that exist elsewhere eg in the field. In pursuing a Problem centred approach, variations to student learning styles may be catered for by providing varying levels of guidance and sequencing, a range of resource types and alternate activity types for the same theme. Group and Individual activities can be incorporated.
5. Tools - These include Glossaries, Concept Map generators, Text editors, Analysis tools and a launch pad for applications that are common place such as word processors and spreadsheets.
6. Media - Video, Audio, Graphics and Text elements can be used in the template - these are dropped into any matrix and become a part of the application.

It is envisaged that a range of matrices will be developed from the template that have qualitative and quantitative characteristics in as far as supporting the activities that students will undertake when they use this learning resource.

The content can be provided on the web and also made available on CD ROM so that variations in access to these technologies by students are catered for.

Progress to date

The use of the matrix in teaching the concepts of movement through the specific idea of "gait" has been planned. The concept framework has been dissected and reassembled in order to enhance a cross-curricular view of the concepts.

A plan for the main phases of teaching the sequence has been established and each matrix in a sequence multimedia support applications is being developed. These include Biomechanical, Bioenergetics, Diversity and Neurologic perspectives on gait. Rather than examining gait in each of these aspects separately, the planned sequence moves from an exploratory view through each of these perpectives in order to establish core understanding and then evolution of ideas both quantitative and qualitative from a combined view. To illustrate, a typical activity may require a student to make a series of observations that will lead to understanding of both diversity and biomechanical principles and their interrelation. Use of a common visual resource in supporting such an activity ie the same video sequence, also reinforces this cross curricular notion.

The template itself is in BETA phase and has been used to assemble the first of these applications.

Students will use the matrices during the first 6 months of 2000 and then reviews and evaluations are planned in order to release version 1 of the template package.