Computer graphics, interactive technologies and collaborative learning synergy supporting individuals' skills development

Abstract

In this paper, we describe work carried out using the synergy of interactive technologies, computer graphics and collaborative learning to improve educators and students' knowledge of basic education by supporting interdisciplinary work.Through direct manipulating accessible Web standard languages such as Hyper Text Markup Language -HTML and Virtual Reality Modeling Language -VRML and their templates, we used interactive graphics techniques and tools, including learning theories and methodologies such as experiential learning as support for enhancing children's interest on studying and authoring content related to subjects such as Mathematics, Geography, Geometry, Languages and Arts.As a consequence of these human and technical interactions, including knowledge acquisition, we achieved an increase in individuals' traditional and digital literacy skills, social inclusion, and community collaborative work engagement inside and outside school environment. Further we found an improvement in curriculum development.

Human-Computer Interaction

“…McFarland (1995) believes keeping the amount of content on each screen between one and three topics and providing passive screens seems to give the learner time to process information. Lastly, a study by Franco, da Cruz and Lopes (2006) addressed potential problems successfully with information visualization techniques.…”

“…In a study by Wisher et al (2001), he discovered that even within the first four weeks, most of the knowledge decay occurs. By using information visualization systems, interactive techniques and multimedia tools in teaching and learning experiences, content retention can be improved for up to 90% of learners (Franco et al, 2006). All in all, course developers must find ways to design e-learning that is efficient, effective, engaging and ultimately matches the user's needs (Quesenbery, 2001) Research Questions This research study focused on melding interaction and instructional design principles and practices to improve the online learner's training environment, which should lead to improved learner retention.…”

Developing an Interactive Knowledge-Based Learning Framework

“…In addition, sciences, HCI interactions and digital systems integration within this IIK-BLF have contributed for developing an interdisciplinary, flexible and open pedagogic and technical architecture, which has been useful at k-12 education formal learning and educators' professional development (Franco & Lopes, 2008) and on citizens' informal learning and entertaining activities (Franco, Cruz & Lopes, 2006); ).…”

Experiências de Uso de Mídias Interativas como Suporte para Autoria e Construção Colaborativa do Conhecimento

“…Exemplos de projetos são o Improv in (Goldberg, 2003) e NICE (Roussos et al, 1999). Tal combinação de técnica, arte e cultura, e exemplos de projetos sugerem usá-los como referência no desenvolvimento das habilidades de aprender a aprender, ler, escrever, pesquisar, programar, comunicar e de pensar dos indivíduos de modo mais reflexivo e crítico, com maior autonomia em diversos tempos e espaços (Franco et al, 2006d).…”

“…Com formação adequada, o conhecimento pedagógico dos educadores aliado ao seu desenvolvimento técnico tende a propiciar, por exemplo, o engajamento de estudantes no aprender a investigar e manipular diretamente tecnologias padrão da Internet para produção de conteúdo digital de modo integrado ao desenvolvimento curricular no contexto escolar e fora dele. Estas ações tendem a servir de base para a construção de um processo de educação continuada, mesmo em locais onde os indivíduos vivam em situação sócio-econômica desfavorável, mas tenham acesso aos computadores e às tecnologias de baixo custo fora do ambiente escola Franco et al, 2006d).…”