Content area
Full text
Received 30 Nov, 2010
Revised 19 Jul., 2011
Abstract
Higher learning based instruction may be primarily concerned in most cases with the content of their academic lessons, and not very much with their instructional delivery. However, the effective application of learning theories and technology in higher education has an impact on student performance. With the rapid progress in the computer and multimedia technologies, it has become feasible to integrate multimedia technologies into the teaching and learning process. What has been the conventional teacher-centered teaching approach is now seeing a shift into one which emphasises on student-centered learning approach. There is a body of evidence that supports the benefit of using technology, such as multimedia elements in the form of 2-Dimension (2-D) and 3-Dimension (3-D) animation to assist in learning. The domain knowledge applied in this study was on a Computer Science subject, particularly on Operating Systems, for the topic on 'Memory Management'. Memory management is one of the topics taught in the course on Operating Systems in Computer Science and Information Technology programmes. This paper discusses the applicability of some learning theories, Mayer's Cognitive theory of Multimedia learning, and the use of animation in computer science education. Finally screen designs of the multimedia learning prototypes are displayed in 2-D and 3-D animation.
Keywords: Computer science education, learning theories, instructional design, animation
Introduction
Education is important; whether it is at the primary, secondary or even at the tertiary/ university level. The government of Malaysia has put in a great deal of emphasis on educating the population, at least at the primary and early secondary level. It is now an undisputed fact that many learning institutions are finding new means to traditional methods in order to bridge learning efficiency with technology. "Universities today are in transition. Much of the change we see is driven by economic pressures and demand for graduates who will be able to function in a knowledge society" (Franklin and Peat, 2001). The growing awareness amongst educators has resulted in the diversification of learning and teaching processes in these changing times. In Malaysia, the institutes of higher learning are currently moving towards a more multimedia oriented classroom (Teoh and Neo, 2006).
Traditional educational content can now be transformed into interactive multimedia content by...