Community Based Software Development

1
Community Based Software Development the Case
of Movelex

• Andrea Kárpáti (karpatian_at_axelero.hu)
• Kornél Varga (kornel_at_movelex.hu)
• ELTE, Budapest
• EC-TEL 2006 Conference
• Workshop Communities of Practice

2
Movelex a complex virtual learning environment
(VLE)

• Shared knowledge building space with a special
  network technology
• Supports self-regulated learning
• Six years test at different educational contexts
• Its digital content repository contains about
  8000 tasks and a lexicon of 7000 items
• About 300 teachers have been trained, and 100 of
  them take an active part in the development of
  the Movelex repository and tools.

3
Main goal of the MOVELEX VLE

• To support self-regulated learning
  anddevelopmental assessment through ICT
  solutions
• Learning materials for individualised instruction
  need local adaptation and development
• Tools for software development by teachers should
  be simple to use and flexible to adapt
• Integration materials should finally create a
  coherent set of teaching aids through a
  co-evolutionary developmental process
• Self-regulated learning involves the active
  participation of students in the developmental
  process

4
The system is adaptive on multiple levels

• The material can be classified for novice,
  intermediate learner or expert
• Based on the results of the tests learning can be
  slowed down through repetitive exercises or
  accelerated through the omission of well-acquired
  parts
• The material can be adjusted to the different
  needs of schools and classes

5
Use of animations and images with captions

• The central idea of the VLE is visualisation
  using the MOVELEX animator (drawing) component
• Simplest form is to insert words on an image
• A photograph may be animated as easily as you
  move a Barbie doll
• To create more sophisticated drawings and
  animations needs advanced skills
• The optimal use of this function is through pair
  or group work
• Captions can be used as assessement

6
Pilot projects with the Movelex VLE

• We organize courses to teach teachers for
  construction of new digital learning materials in
  groups
• Students will make animations mentored by
  teachers
• Special mathematical project
• The Movelex Presenter can be downloaded
• www.perfectstudy.com

7
Usual e-learning development
8
In the Movelex-model
the different groups communicate through a
2-level system of shared objects
9
Building Communities of Practice on multiple
levels

• Basic level development is done in local groups
  using a word processor
• Group work for designers on advanced level in a
  special networked mode
• The integrated database of LO-s is offered for
  testing to the final users
• At advanced level, this response system works as
  an integrated shared space, as group members can
  reflect even on each-others remarks

10
Movelex as a realization of trialogical learning
principle
Definition of trialogical learning (see the
website of KP-Lab project www.kp-lab.org) Thos
e forms of learning where learners are
collaboratively developing, transforming, or
creating shared objects of activity (such as
conceptual artefacts, practices, products) in a
systematic fashion. Trialogical learning
concentrates on the interaction through these
common objects (or artefacts) of activity, not
just between people ("dialogical approach"), or
within ones mind ("monological" approach).
11
Thank you for your attention!

• Kornél Varga (kornel_at_movelex.hu)
• Co-author
• Andrea Kárpáti (karpatian_at_axelero.hu)
• ELTE, Budapest