Reflection on lesson 3

Reflection on lesson 3:
According to the Powerpoint (Session three), “We can present a lot of information in a small screen space, communicate complex ideas through visual simplicity.”
In lesson three, Professor introduces many visualization examples.

Here are the interesting examples:
1. Interactive Pictures: http://interact10ways.com/usa/information_interactive.htm
In this website, we can view many colourful pictures interactively. When the readers click one picture, many related colourful pictures will appear. It is a good and interesting experience.

2. BBC News (Urban Growth): http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/world/06/urbanisation/html/urbanisation.stm
This visual information is presented by a rectangular maps of the Earth with Flash. Readers can easily find the specific countries in the map.

3. Market Map: http://www.smartmoney.com/marketmap/
Very attractive and powerful Flash.

4. Intentional Information Search: http://www.grokker.com/
The searching engine was developed by Groxis, Inc. which was founded in 2001, by a team of experienced executives and distinguished directors. The website enables information management and communication in our life. This visualization maximized the value of information assets for enterprises, content publishers, libraries and research-intensive organizations.

Reflection on Learning object:
According to Dr Daniel, “ A learning object is best described as a representation designed to be reused in different educational contexts.” Learning objects are involved in educational activities, especially teachers and students. Professor introduced many examples of various learning objects in the lesson. Here are the good examples of learning object:

1. Native Australian Animals
2. Language Dictionary Food
3. Moon Phases
4. Impact of Air pollution

For more information, please go to

http://www.learnactivity.com/lo/

What I have learnt from lesson 3:
Major Points:
1. Information Visualization is a process of transforming data and information into a visual form allowing someone to explore.

2. We can present a lot of information in a small screen space, communicate complex ideas through visual simplicity…

3. Information visualization examples: Intentional Information Search.

4. A learning object is best described as a representation designed to be reused in different educational contexts.

"Learning objects might reside in digital repositories, ready to be located and utilized by those involved in educational activities ."

They address:
(a) key concepts from disciplines, in visual and often interactive ways not permitted with previous technologies, for sharing of socio-historical heritage of humanity
(b) information and data that can be useful in the context of developing disciplinary-specific thinking, culture of practice, spirit of inquiry, theoretical knowledge and information work
(c) presentation of small, instructional sequences and demonstrations delivering encapsulated descriptions of some aspects of subject matter which can support learning processes by providing “just-in-time” information
(d) simulations of key equipment, tools and processes from a discipline to enable development of deep understanding of artifacts used in a culture of practice. (Danchill, 2006)

More information visualization examples:


http://interact10ways.com/usa/information_interactive.htm



http://www.smartmoney.com/marketmap/



http://www.textarc.org/



They are very interesting and funny. Please visit these websites after work.

Reference: Learning Object:http://www.learnactivity.com/lo/

Reflection on Information Visualization:
According to Gershon, Stephen, Eick, & Card (1998), “Visualization is the process of transforming data, information, and knowledge into visual form making use of humans’natural visual capabilities.”

Advantages of information visualization:
It enable users to get information fast and reach decisions in a relatively short time. Moreover, Information visualization can facilitate the user interaction with information residing on the World Wide Web.

Examples: WebBook and Web Forager.
With the increasing use of visual media, people’s visual literacy will increase. Users will become more efficient dealing with visuals and thus will get more information.
Reference:
Gershon, N., Stephen G. Eick, S.G., & Card, S. (1998). Information visualization. Interactions, March, 9-15.

Design a Learning Object

Learning object: Shape of a rain drop Flash.

The learning object aims to show how rain drop changes shape during its descent through atmosphere.

Learning Object Elements:
1. Different sizes of rain drop: 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4.5mm and >4.5mm
2. Useful Links
3. Colourful Texts
4. Brief descriptions

Please click the following links :

http://iln.cite.hku.hk/com/1374/users/swryuen/raindrop0320.fla

http://iln.cite.hku.hk/com/1374/users/swryuen/raindrop0320.swf

Your comments are welcome!

Reference:
http://www.stormcenter.com/envirocast/2003-04-01/envirocast-article2.php

Reflection on lesson 4:
The shape of raindrop depends on the following factors:
1. Air Resistance
2. Gravity
3. Velocity
4. Size
5. Angle
6. Wind and angle
7. Air Pressure and Surface Tension
8. Aero-dynamic forces
Improvement of my learning object:
1. It is too fast to jump to next slide.
2. It would be better if the longer time frame is applied for the first slide.
3. Improvement in hyperlinks.
4. Text should be larger and bright.
5. More colours.
6. Improvement in content.

Reflection on reading:
Schnotz, W. (2002) states that effective learning with visuo-spatial text adjuncts can be fostered through instructional design by the teacher and adequate processing strategies by the learner. The contributions of this issue include the following perspectives.

1. Instructional Design:
Effective learning with visuo-spatial text adjuncts is dependent on on the relation between these displays and the task demands and on the learner’s prior knowledge and cognitive abilities. The Instructional design of visual displays requires sufficient understanding of how the human cognitive system interacts with these displays.

2. Processing Strategies:
Visual displays can support communication, thinking, and learning. However, learners often underestimate the informational content of pictures and believe that a short look would be enough for understanding and extracting the relevant information.(Schnotz, 2002)

Reference:
Schnotz, W. (2002). Towards integrated view of learning from text and visual displays. Educational Psychology review 14(1), 101-120