Project Links
Educational Technology Review
Module: Inventory Control
Version: 0.6
Date: March 31, 1998
Reviewers: Tricia R. Meyer, Kim Kenyon, Aliya Holmes
Three reviewers, all specializing in instructional technology reviewers and one from The Evaluation Consortium reviewed the module at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Two developers were present at the "Inventory Control" module, and one developer was present at the "Constrained Optimization" module to answer questions throughout the review. Pam Kott, Technical Manager for Project Links, was also present for a portion of the review session. This summary includes comments and questions where consensus and/or convergence was noted. Because Project Links modules have many common elements (e.g., navigation, formatting, etc.), this report not only provides formative feedback concerning the instructional technology aspects of "Inventory Control", but also provides formative feedback for all Project Links modules, regardless of stage of development.
This report is divided into two sections. Part I addresses the technical aspects of the module. Part II addresses the pedagogical aspects of the module. Any comments referring to aspects that are uniform across all modules are applicable to both modules reviewed below.
Part I. The following comments relate to the technical aspects of the module:
Links in and out
- For the most part, the links were very helpful; however, linking to the applet was a bit inaccessible and tedious, because of all the typing/steps involved. This process could lead to confusion, taking away valuable time and possibly failure of learner to find the applet. A better solution may be to embed an applet in the site, or have learner click on a link which opens the connection in another web window.
- The applet was quite small, and therefore difficult to read
- When the small window opens, to give learner the definition of a highlighted word, he/she shouldn't be given access to Netscape controls (ex. File, edit, view...). These should be removed.
- Reviewers reported getting lost outside of the module, when linking to related modules, and were not able to return without retyping the module address. Users should have internal navigations, rather than needing to rely on Netscape "back" button.
- It may be useful to separate the "module map" from any navigation arrows, since it was too easy to click on one when intending to click on the other.
- In navigation bar, "get" would be more clear, rather than "go".
- The "help" button on the navigation bar, as mentioned in the Constrained Optimization module, is confusing, Navigational instructions should be provided in the beginning, or the help should be labeled differently. Also, the navigational instructions should be more explicit. They were somewhat confusing.
Navigation
- Navigation was well defined, and instructions were more clear and concise than in the previous modules.
- It may be a good idea to label the navigational buttons "next" and "back", since the up and down arrows were confusing
- Navigation system should be placed in the page itself, which provides the learner with options as the page is completed
- Scrolling should be eliminated
Visual/Aesthetics
- The frames portion of the site was appealing.
- The color of the visited links change as is appropriate; however, the gray color was difficult to see as it blended in with the white background. (also, they should be a uniform color).
- The applet was difficult to read, and could possibly be explained in more detail, or in a context to make it more appealing to the learner. The font and color pixels seemed distorted, even at different screen sizes. Clarity would enhance motivational attributes.
- Graphics could be used for drawing attention to a particular phrase or thought.
Part II. The Module also was examined from a pedagogical perspective; that is, reviewers evaluated the extent to which the module is consistent with instructional/learning principles. The following comments relate to the pedagogical aspects of the module:
Orientation
- The objectives and assumptions of the program were very helpful.
- Instructions about the module map would allow the student to monitor his/her progress. These should be added.
Content Linkages
- The content within the module was informative with an extensive pool of additional resources.
- External links to WWW references would be interesting and useful to the learner. The developers may want to explore which links would be most appropriate.
- Formulas needed for working out problems might be better positioned on the screen, rather than as a resource in another window.
- The use of "background" which brings up the previous data set, and "activity focus" which explains goal of the activity were very well done and helpful.
Motivation
- The applet is quite interesting, although there should be more text explaining the procedure and outcome.
- Feedback and answers to the problems, with explanations, would aid in learning the correct information, or serve as an explanation as to why a choice was not correct. This information aids in mastering the content.
- As a motivator and organizer, it may be valuable to present one "real life" example in the beginning, and carry it throughout the entire module, with problems and questions linking directly to that particular example.
Questions/Input
- Good detail, and excellent variety of questions; the module had a nice mix of higher and lower level questions.