Riaza Mohd Rias

Investigating the redundancy effect in multimedia learning on a computer science domain

This paper looks at Mayers theory on the redundancy principle and applies this theory on a computer science domain. This principle states that students learn better from animation and narration than from animation, narration, and text. The topic is on memory management in the subject of operating system concepts. In a series of two experimental studies, a total of 36 students took part in this experiment where these students were divided into two groups. The first group learned the module containing materials with only animation and narration. The second group of students viewed materials with animation, narration and text. The students who had no prior knowledge on the subject where given a test on recall and transfer knowledge after viewing the treatments. This paper reports the results of the experiment which may provide useful guidance for instructional designers specifically in the area of computer science.

Using 3-D Animation in Multimedia Learning for Memory Management Concepts

Memory management concepts are one of the topics taught in the course of Operating Systems as part of the syllabus for the Computer Science and IT majors.This course consists mostly of theoretical lectures and does not guarantee full understanding and absorption of the many concepts introduced. Some statistics on recent student achievement on this topic clearly shows that there are some problems in understanding and applying concepts in problem solving. We present a multimedia learning aid using3-Dimensional animation to help students learn with interest and more clarity in order to grasp the information on the topic of memory management. We did an assessment on the instructional value and overall satisfaction of the multimedia system viewed by 48 students.Keywords: 3-D animation, memory management3

3-D versus 2-D Animation in Multimedia Application: Is the Extra Effort Worth It?

Does animation play a role in multimedia learning? Animation in multimedia is said to be beneficial to learning especially when the learning material demands visual movements. The emergence of 3-Dimensional animated visuals has extended the presentation mode in multimedia learning. It is said that animated visuals in a 3-D representation not only possess motivational value that promotes positive attitudes toward instruction but also facilitate learning when the subject matter requires dynamic motion and 3-D visual cue. The field of computer science, especially in operating systems concepts uses an array of abstract concepts such as virtual memory, paging, fragmentations etc to describe and explain the underlying processes. Various studies together with our own observations strongly indicate that students often find these concepts difficult to learn, as they cannot easily be demonstrated. This study investigates the effects of animation on student understanding when studying a complex domain in computer science, that is, the subject of memory management concepts in operating systems. A multimedia learning system was developed in two different versions: 2-D animation and 3-D animation. A hundred and one students took part in this study and they were assigned into one of these groups. All the students who took part in this experiment had low prior knowledge in this subject and after viewing the treatment, they were asked to take a test which tested them for recall and transfer knowledge. This test was used to determine if, in fact, improved learning actually occurred and which version of the animation produced the better outcome. Initial analysis of results indicates no statistical difference between the scores for the two versions and suggests that animations, by themselves, do not necessarily improve student understanding.

Multimedia learning in computer science: The effect of fifferent modes of instruction on student understanding

In a series of three experimental studies, we investigate the understanding achieved by learners when studying a complex domain in computer science, that is, the subject of memory management concepts in operating systems. We use three different media combinations to explain the subject of memory management concepts - Animation and text, animation and voice and a combination of animation, voice and text. The students who had no prior knowledge on the subject where given a test on recall and transfer knowledge after viewing the treatments. This paper reports the results of the experiment which may provide useful guidance for instructional designers specifically in the area of computer science.

The Use of Personalized Digital Memory Book as a Reminiscence Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Patients

Many researchers have been carried out in order to increase motivation and to stimulate the ability of memorizing among the Alzheimers Disease (AD) patients. Modern therapy methods have begun to integrate with multimedia and computer technology in their therapy session for more desirable results. Memory book is an example of an application that is used to assist in the treatment of people who is suffering from the AD. With the advancement in computer technologies, the concept of traditional memory book has been transformed to an attractive, interactive as well as an effective digital memory book. This paper looks into the design and development of a personalized digital memory book specially catered for a 67 years old early stage Alzheimers patient. The content included some information about the patients family and a multimedia-based learning guide on how to perform prayer (solah). The Alzheimers patient, who was previously a devoted Muslim, has now succumbed to her disease and has forgotten how to pray. The outcome from this study revealed that with the help of the personalized memory book, the patient was able to give positive response. Due to the promising result, this study should be continued with some improvement on its contents, user interface design and the hardware used.

Different visualization types in multimedia learning: a comparative study

Visualization techniques is said to be beneficial to learning compared to static visuals, especially when the learning material demands visual movements. The emergence of 3-Dimensional animated visuals has extended the presentation mode in multimedia learning. A case study on a computer science subject was used to test the effect of different visualization types in learning. The field of computer science, especially in operating systems concepts uses an array of abstract concepts such as virtual memory, paging, fragmentations etc to describe and explain the underlying processes. Various studies together with our own observations strongly indicate that students often find these concepts difficult to learn, as they cannot easily be demonstrated. This study investigates the effects of different visualization types on student understanding when studying a complex domain in computer science, that is, the subject of memory management concepts in operating systems. A multimedia learning system was developed in three different versions: static visuals, 2-D animated visuals and 3-D animated visuals. Fifty five students took part in this study and they were randomly assigned into one of these three groups. All the students who took part in this experiment had low prior knowledge in this subject and after viewing the treatment, they were asked to take a test which tested them for recall and transfer knowledge. This test was used to determine if, in fact, improved learning actually occurred and to compare which visualization type produced the better learning outcome. Initial analysis of results indicates no statistical difference between the scores for the three versions and suggests that visualization types, by themselves, do not necessarily improve student understanding.

Social software characteristics and the impacts on students’ knowledge sharing behaviour

The development of Web 2.0 technologies has led to the growth of social software tools. These tools have brought a tremendous change in the way students of this generation interact and share information and knowledge. The objective of this paper is to examine the relationships between the prominent social software characteristics (i.e., informal setting, communication, network and community, and user generated content) and the students’ knowledge sharing behaviour in Malaysian university context. A total of 322 students from five universities participated in the survey study. Through the analysis, the findings revealed that the four characteristics positively influenced knowledge sharing behaviour of the students. Moreover, the combination of these characteristics can be a good predictor of the students’ knowledge sharing behaviour through social software tools.

Looking at the effects of various multimedia approach in student learning: a case study

Who benefits from multimedia learning and under what conditions? This study examined the effects that animation and cognitive load have on student understanding of a particular chapter in operating systems as part of the syllabus of Computer Science and IT majors at the undergraduate level. In this study, a total of two hundred and fifty seven students were identified as having high or low prior knowledge were assigned to one of seven groups: (1) Static and text (Control), (2) 2-D Animation and Text, (3) 2-D Animation and Voice, (4) 2-D Animation and Voice and Text, (5) 3-D Animation and text (6) 3-D Animation and Voice, (7) 3-D Animation and Voice and Text. The students were then asked to take a test that were divided into recall and transfer questions. The results indicate no significant statistical difference between the scores for the high prior knowledge students in all the seven groups. There were some significant differences in scores for a few groups in the low prior knowledge category. The results of this experiment may provide useful guidance for instructional designers specifically in the area of computer science.

A multimedia learning application for undergraduates in Computer Science: The design, development and usability

The typical undergraduate student of today is accustomed to receiving information on a daily basis in a variety of formats, i.e. multimedia channels. This paper reports on a recent research carried out to design and develop a multimedia earning application in Wide Area Network (WAN) Protocols, a topic from Data Communication & Networking, which is part of a syllabus for undergraduates in Computer Sciences. Learning heories such as cognitive and constructivist approaches were applied in the multimedia application, along with a unique metaphor, animation, games and tutorial. A usability test was conducted on 30 computer science students from the faculty and the results are discussed in the paper.

Designing interfaces in a mobile environment: An implementation on a programming language

Mobile technology offers new opportunities for engaging learners in non-classroom settings, promotes student motivation and encourages learners to personalize their learning experience. However, the major setback with learning in a mobile device is the limited screen space. The nature of interaction is also different between large and small display, in which text input is found not suitable to be employed on small screen due to the slower text input mechanism. The navigation technique was investigated as a potential technique that could be applied to display information on a mobile device. Navigation technique is based on point-and-click interaction on hierarchical structure of links. In order to determine how well this navigation technique solves the above problems, a prototype for learning Programming C++ was developed and a usability testing was conducted. Due to the existing problems in student understanding in the subject of Programming in C++, this domain was chosen with the hope that students would benefit from the development of this prototype. The result of usability testing indicated positive response from learners and they were satisfied with all aspects of the interface design.