Program Design Summary

NOVA Online: Secrets of Lost Empires Roman Baths

 

Objectives and Pedagogy: Makes a Minimal Case for Recommendation

Objectives are general and sometimes appropriately linked to teacher and learner needs. Little attention is given to pedagogy.
 
 

 

 Ř      There are no implicitly stated objectives for the site.  The teachers guide gives a general overview of the site and the related television/film program.  There are activities and answers provided fro many of Nova’s programs however none are offered for the Roman Bath program.

  Effectiveness: Makes a Good Case for Recommendation

The program makes effective use of technology to present ideas, concepts, and theories in a manner that builds understanding beyond that possible through the use of more traditional instructional materials:

 

  • there is some depth and breadth in the program that can extend the content
  • any combining of technologies generally adds to the learning experience
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Ř      The website is provided to extend the television/video program.  Although using technology to access this information “”generally adds to the learning experience” most of what is available to the learner can be accessed using traditional instructional methods.

Interactive Components:  Makes a Minimal Case for Recommendation

Interactive components are somewhat limited:

  • learners may experience some difficulty in using the program
  • no provision for a review of content or correcting responses is available
  • presentation is varied somewhat based on learner response
  • only limited assistance or explanation is provided in response to learner error
  • items answered incorrectly are not repeated later in the program and no additional problems are provided for practice
  • little or no assistance is provided to help learners to understand key terms
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ř      Many areas of the website use navigation buttons that are small and learners may experience difficulty using them.  Sidebars, which open to provide further information, are small and horizontal/vertical scroll bars must be manipulated to access the text. 

 

Motivation:  Makes a Minimal Case for Recommendation

Learners will need encouragement to use the program after an initial experience with it.

  • interest level is not appropriate to targeted students
  • program does not engage the learner
  • content and format do not stimulate student curiosity and imagination
 
 

 

 

 

 

Ř      After initial use, students may need encouragement to return to the website.  Most of the information provided is text highlighted with small pictures.  There is very little interaction involved in the site beyond the basic navigation required to access the pages, as stated before, these are not appropriate for young learners.

 

Customizing Features:  Makes a Minimal Case for Recommendation

The program does not allow for customization.
 
 

 

Ř      There is no evidence of provisions for teacher or learner customization. 

 

Online Access:  Makes a Good Case for Recommendation

As appropriate, there is some provision for online access.  Student sharing of projects online is possible.
 
 

 

 

   Back to EDER 671