Getting the message across : ten principles for web animation

The growing use of animation in Web pages testifies to the increasing ease with which such multimedia components can be created. This trend indicates a commitment to animation that is often unmatched by the skill of the implementers. The present paper details a set of ten commandments for web animation, intending to sensitise budding animators to key aspects that may impair the communicational effectiveness of their animation. These guidelines are drawn from an extensive literature survey coloured by personal experience of using Web animation packages. Our ten principles are further elucidated by a Web-based on-line tutorial

Techniques for the Publication of Accessible Multimedia Content on the Web

Multimedia has become one of the most important sources of information and communication on the web. However, despite recent technological progress, people with disabilities and the elderly face difficulties accessing multimedia on the web. In some cases, these difficulties are impossible to overcome and are a fundamental cause of digital exclusion. Given the importance of this topic, several investigations on the problems of accessing multimedia resources have been carried out. Some organizations have also proposed certain standards to guide the creation and publication of accessible web content. Nevertheless, the authoring tools used in the process of publishing multimedia on the web do not offer all the accessibility features required. Authoring tools can also be used by people who do not have knowledge about web accessibility or programming, resulting in web publications lacking accessibility. This research proposes 278 novel techniques to guide authors, designers, programmers, and testers in the publication of accessible and inclusive multimedia on the web. These techniques are designed to guarantee the compliance with the recommended success criteria of Authoring Tools Accessibility Guidelines (ATAG) 2.0 of the World Wide Web Consortium. Moreover, these techniques can be used to evaluate the accessibility of the existing authoring tools used to create multimedia for the web. Additionally, we present 80 possible failures that can cause the non-fulfillment of ATAG 2.0. These failures can help authors discern what to avoid and help evaluators check whether particular multimedia is accessible.This work was supported in part by the Study of Accessibility Requirements of Multimedia Content on the Web: Case Study MOOC under Research Project PII-DETRI-2019-03, in part by the EduTech under Project 609785-EPP-1-2019-1-ES-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP, and in part by the Erasmus C Programme of the European Union

Multimedia Annotation Interoperability Framework

Multimedia systems typically contain digital documents of mixed media types, which are indexed on the basis of strongly divergent metadata standards. This severely hamplers the inter-operation of such systems. Therefore, machine understanding of metadata comming from different applications is a basic requirement for the inter-operation of distributed Multimedia systems. In this document, we present how interoperability among metadata, vocabularies/ontologies and services is enhanced using Semantic Web technologies. In addition, it provides guidelines for semantic interoperability, illustrated by use cases. Finally, it presents an overview of the most commonly used metadata standards and tools, and provides the general research direction for semantic interoperability using Semantic Web technologies

A System to Generate SignWriting for Video Tracks Enhancing Accessibility of Deaf People

Video content has increased much on the Internet during last years. In spite of the efforts of different organizations and governments to increase the accessibility of websites, most multimedia content on the Internet is not accessible. This paper describes a system that contributes to make multimedia content more accessible on the Web, by automatically translating subtitles in oral language to SignWriting, a way of writing Sign Language. This system extends the functionality of a general web platform that can provide accessible web content for different needs. This platform has a core component that automatically converts any web page to a web page compliant with level AA of WAI guidelines. Around this core component, different adapters complete the conversion according to the needs of specific users. One adapter is the Deaf People Accessibility Adapter, which provides accessible web content for the Deaf, based on SignWritting. Functionality of this adapter has been extended with the video subtitle translator system. A first prototype of this system has been tested through different methods including usability and accessibility tests and results show that this tool can enhance the accessibility of video content available on the Web for Deaf people

CALL and the development of reading skills: Bridging the gap between theory and practice

In the midst of the increased availability of computers in South African schools and the publication of a White Paper on e-Education, (language) teachers are facing the new and exciting challenge of successfully integrating ICT in their teaching. In the light of these developments, it becomes imperative to develop guidelines for the effective integration of computers in language and other areas of teaching. Unlike most overseas countries, Computer-assisted Language Learning in South Africa is still in its infancy. Therefore, it becomes necessary to draw on international best practices and findings of the most recent research on CALL. The focal point of this article is the value of computers for developing reading skills, with reference to the use of text reconstruction activities, multimedia CD-ROMs and the World Wide Web. Emanating from this extensive literature survey are critical success factors for the integration of computer-based and conventional reading activities. These factors include the goal of the lesson, the time available, learners’ level of language proficiency and learners’ level of computer literacy.Keywords: Computer-assisted Language Learning (CALL), ICT, e-Education; text reconstruction, multimedia CD-ROMs, World Wide Web, reading skill

Creating With Web 2.0: A Course Designed To Build Interdisciplinary Alliances

This paper reports on a new interdisciplinary undergraduate course aimed at providing students with the ability to create interactive multimedia content using Web 2.0. The course is named Creating with Web 2.0. It is part of a larger project whose goal is to explore and articulate the strategic alignments among Information Systems and other fields of study. The original focus of the course was on Web 2.0 and Performing Arts. ‘Creating with Web 2.0’ closely conforms to the ‘IS Innovations and New Technologies’ elective course specified in the IS 2010 Curriculum Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs. We expect the course may lead to increased interest in integrating computing into other disciplines. We describe the philosophies leading to ‘Creating with Web 2.0’ within the context of today’s enrollment challenges and employment opportunities. We then present some course specifics including assignments, the set of free tools that were used in class, and some of the student work. The objective is to provide a set of materials that will allow others to create and deploy a similar course

Использование web-ориентированных и мультимедийных технологий в формировании социальной компетентности младших школьников

Автореферат дисертації. Кваліфікаційна наукова праця на правах рукопису. Дисертація на здобуття наукового ступеня кандидата педагогічних наук за спеціальністю 13.00.10 – «Інформаційно-комунікаційні технології в освіті». – Інститут інформаційних технологій і засобів навчання НАПН України, Київ, 2018. У дисертації досліджено проблему формування соціальної компетентності молодших школярів в педагогічній теорії та практиці. Здійснено аналіз основних понять дослідження, уточнено поняття «соціальна компетентність молодших школярів». Визначено особливості формування соціальної компетентності молодших школярів у сучасному інформаційному просторі, розглянуто соціальну компетентність як одну з ключових компетентностей молодших школярів. Досліджено проблему підготовки педагогічних працівників (закордонний і вітчизняний досвід) до використання інформаційно-комунікаційних технологій у початковій школі, розглянуто дисертаційні дослідження у цьому напрямі. Досліджено сучасний стан застосування web-орієнтованих і мультимедійних технологій у формуванні соціальної компетентності молодших школярів. Визначено web-орієнтовані і мультимедійні технології, що доцільно застосовувати для формування соціальної компетентності молодших школярів. Проаналізовано та уточнено складники та рівні сформованості соціальної компетентності молодших школярів. Обґрунтовано та розроблено модель використання web-орієнтованих і мультимедійних технологій у процесі формування соціальної компетентності молодших школярів та модель розвитку компетентності педагогічних працівників з окресленого питання. Охарактеризовано основні компоненти методики використання web-орієнтованих і мультимедійних технологій у формуванні соціальної компетентності молодших школярів. Описано авторський електронний освітній ресурс, що створено для допомоги педагогічним працівникам і батькам у формуванні соціальної компетентності молодших школярів. Розроблено рекомендації для педагогічних працівників і батьків щодо використання web-орієнтованих і мультимедійних технологій у формуванні соціальної компетентності молодших школярів.Qualifying scientific paper of manuscript copyright. The thesis for a Candidate Degree in pedagogical sciences (Philosophy Doctor) on speciality 13.00.10 «Information and Communication Technologies in Education». – Institute of Information Technologies and Learning Tools of NAES of Ukraine, Kyiv, 2018. The thesis is devoted to the problem of development of social competence of primary school children’s social competence in pedagogical theory and practice. The analysis of the basic research concepts is done, the concept «primary school children’s social competence» is specified. The peculiarities of developing primary school children’s social competence in the modern information space are determined, social competence as one of the key competences of primary school children is considered. The issue of pedagogical workers training (both foreign and national experience) for using information and communication technologies (ICT) in primary school as well as PhD and doctoral researches in this direction were investigated.The general methodology for research conducted is described. The present state of application of web-oriented and multimedia technologies in developing primary school children’s social competence is researched. Web-oriented and multimedia technologies that it is expedient to be used in developing primary school children’s social competence are defined. The components and levels of primary school children’s social competence development are analyzed and specified. The model of using web-oriented and multimedia technologies in the process of developing primary school children’s social competence as well as model of pedagogical workers appropriate competence development is substantiated.The main components of a technique for using web-oriented and multimedia technologies in developing primary school children’s social competence are characterized. Electronic learning resource created for pedagogical workers and parents as a tool of developing primary school children’s social competence is described. Guidelines for pedagogical workers and parents on the use of web-oriented and multimedia technologies in developing primary school children’s social competence are developed. The general scheme of experimental work, its organization and course are described, the results are presented, and their generalization and interpretation are carried out. To confirm the reliability of the results of experimental work, methods of mathematical statistics were used, in particular Fisher's criterion. For the first time it is theoretically grounded and developed: the model of using web-oriented and multimedia technologies in the process of developing primary school children’s social competence; a model for the development of pedagogical workers competence regarding using web-oriented and multimedia technologies in developing primary school children’s social competence; criteria (value-motivational, organizational-activity, evaluative-reflexive), indicators and levels of pedagogical workers competence development regarding using web-oriented and multimedia technologies in developing primary school children’s social competence; it is clarified: concept «primary school children’s social competence» as confirmed personality ability, manifested in openness to society, social behavior skills, readiness for the perception of socially oriented information messages, responsibility to others for his/her own actions and the ability to build one’s own behavior in the combined reality environment (real and virtual) in accordance with social norms and public values, in aspect concerning primary school children’s ICT usage. The theory and practice of the development and using ICT in open education: multimedia technologies, resources of global information networks; technique of using ICT tools in extracurricular activities have got further development. The practical value of the results obtained: a technique for using web-oriented and multimedia technologies in developing primary school children’s social competence was created; the web-site (http://www.teach-help.com.ua) for pedagogical workers and parents as a tool of developing primary school children’s social competence was developed and implemented; didactical materials (a complex of training sessions «Merry Trip») were created for developing primary school children’s social competence via web-oriented and multimedia technologies; didactical materials (training sessions, master classes) for pedagogical workers regarding the features of using web-based and multimedia technologies in developing primary school children’s social competence were created; a manual for pedagogical workers of secondary education institutions concerning using web-based and multimedia technologies in developing primary school children’s social competence has been concluded. The theoretical and practical results of the research can be used: in training and skills improvement of pedagogical workers (primary school teachers, social pedagogues, practical psychologists), in the development of information and methodological support for social-pedagogical and educational work in primary school, in the creation of web-sites of educational supplies.Автореферат диссертации. Квалификационная научная работа на правах рукописи. Диссертация на соискание ученой степени кандидата педагогических наук по специальности 13.00.10 – «Информационно-коммуникационные технологии в образовании». – Институт информационных технологий и средств обучения НАПН Украины, Киев, 2018.В диссертации исследована проблема формирования социальной компетентности младших школьников в педагогической теории и практике. Осуществлен анализ основных понятий исследования, уточнено понятие «социальная компетентность младших школьников». Определены особенности формирования социальной компетентности младших школьников в современном информационном пространстве, рассмотрено социальную компетентность как одну из ключевых компетентностей младших школьников. Исследована проблема подготовки педагогических работников (зарубежный и отечественный опыт) к использованию информационно-коммуникационных технологий (ИКТ) в начальной школе, рассмотрены диссертационные исследования в этом направлении. Исследовано современное состояние использования web-ориентированных и мультимедийных технологий в формировании социальной компетентности младших школьников. Определены web-ориентированные и мультимедийные технологии, которые целесообразно применять для формирования социальной компетентности младших школьников. Осуществлен анализ и уточнены составляющие и уровни сформированности социальной компетентности младших школьников. Обоснована и разработана модель использования web-ориентированных и мультимедийных технологий в процессе формирования социальной компетентности младших школьников и модель развития компетентности педагогических работников в этом направлении. Охарактеризованы основные компоненты методики использования web-ориентированных и мультимедийных технологий в формировании социальной компетентности младших школьников. Описан авторский электронный образовательный ресурс, который создан для помощи педагогическим работникам и родителям в формировании социальной компетентности младших школьников. Разработаны рекомендации для педагогов и родителей по использованию web-ориентированных и мультимедийных технологий в формировании социальной компетентности младших школьников

Using multimedia to enhance the accessibility of the learning environment for disabled students: reflections from the Skills for Access project

As educators' awareness of their responsibilities towards ensuring the accessibility of the learning environment to disabled students increases, significant debate surrounds the implications of accessibility requirements on educational multimedia. There would appear to be widespread concern that the fundamental principles of creating accessible web‐based materials seem at odds with the creative and innovative use of multimedia to support learning and teaching, as well as concerns over the time and cost of providing accessibility features that can hold back resource development and application. Yet, effective use of multimedia offers a way of enhancing the accessibility of the learning environment for many groups of disabled students. Using the development of ‘Skills for Access’, a web resource supporting the dual aims of creating optimally accessible multimedia for learning, as an example, the attitudinal, practical and technical challenges facing the effective use of multimedia as an accessibility aid in a learning environment will be explored. Reasons why a holistic approach to accessibility may be the most effective in ensuring that multimedia reaches its full potential in enabling and supporting students in learning, regardless of any disability they may have, will be outlined and discussed

Interaction platform-orientated perspective in designing novel applications

The lack of HCI offerings in the invention of novel software applications and the bias of design knowledge towards desktop GUI make it difficult for us to design for novel scenarios and applications that leverage emerging computational technologies. These include new media platforms such as mobiles, interactive TV, tabletops and large multi-touch walls on which many of our future applications will operate. We argue that novel application design should come not from user-centred requirements engineering as in developing a conventional application, but from understanding the interaction characteristics of the new platforms. Ensuring general usability for a particular interaction platform without rigorously specifying envisaged usage contexts helps us to design an artifact that does not restrict the possible application contexts and yet is usable enough to help brainstorm its more exact place for future exploitation