Teaching pack for computer studies (SEC level) : large computer systems & areas of computer applications

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on providing resources on Large Computer Systems and Areas of Computer Applications based on constructivist principles. These are collected in an interactive software package. The introduction of multimedia in education stimulates the students' imagination and helps them to conceptualise abstract concepts. These sections, Large Computer Systems and areas of Computer Applications can be very abstract for the students to understand, and misconceptions can be built. This multimedia package is aimed at giving the students (ranging from form 3 to form 5) a holistic understanding on both sections and prepares them for the SEC examination. This package provides an insight into both topics from a practical point of view and encourages discovery learning. With the help of literature. images. simulations, presentations. animations and videos. the package helps the students to construct their own personalised knowledge and concretise these concepts. Another application found in the CD gives the facility to create quizzes: also the package will be accompanied by a number of worksheets concerning the material contained in the package. This resource package is also designed to think of the present in relation to the future. Its design makes it easy for the user to upgrade the presentations or add more material according to one's needs. An evaluation \Vas carried out with a number of teachers. Their overall opinion was that the teaching pack was a valid contribution to the teaching of computer studies. A study of the evaluation highlighted further improvements that could be included in future revision of the software package.