Alpha

Level up

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For our project this week we continued with our app Tiny Farm. We focused on creating each level for the game. I created and designed level 6 which consists of counting the baby animals in each family. We decided to take the increasing difficulty aspect of each level out of the game as we felt it would work better by presenting the kids with a selection of animals and allowing them to click each animal for a different activity. All levels include either addition or subtraction considering the age of our target audience.

This is the level I created, I made sure to include the chosen colour scheme in order to appeal to a young audience. After our meeting we thought it would be best to have 3 levels on each scene so there's a variety of mini games to complete. We now have a working prototype so this week we'll be finalizing our game and adding the finishing touches.

Prototype

Animated animals

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This week I've been continuing with the animation and illustration aspect of our game. We are creating this game with a specific design so it's important that we get it right. Through a series of multiple illustrations I designed a couple more backgrounds for our game.

Firstly I finalized the background design for the main menu I included the main architecture in this background. The second background I created was a background for one of the levels where the player must use addition to count and add up the amount of hay bales on the trailer. The player will help the farmer with this task. The third background that I created was an overview of all the animals and architecture. The player can click on certain animals and play a math game involving this animal. These backgrounds can be seen below. 

MD2 Final GDD

Animated cow
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This week my group and I banded together to finalize and complete our game design document. We put a lot of work in by distributing jobs and continuing the production of our game. This week in the GDD I wrote about the games architecture and background design.

I spent this week designing structures, buildings, characters and game elements. I began researching kids games and examining their animations. I designed everything with a cartoon look and feel by creating the background for the main screen with rounded structures and buildings. Round characters and shapes have been shown to draw kids towards a game rather than sharply designed features as I've discovered in my research.

From here on the plan is to finish the animation and design aspects of the game and begin the actual game code. Im optimistic about our game as we've been putting a lot of work in since our recent meeting.

Game Design Document

Animated farm
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Tiny Farm

The game we're creating is a math based game aimed towards young kids. The game is called Tiny Farm and the goal is to help them improve their math skills in a fun way. The game is farm themed as we decided it would appeal more to younger kids. The visuals will be colourful and include shapes, farm animals, objects and the main character will be the farmer. Each farm activity will involve math for example "how many horses are in the stable?". I think this game will really benefit young kids and help them learn. 

We spent time and research on creating our game design document carefully and took a section each. For my part I focused on design aspects of the game such as the characters and the levels. 
The main character in our game will be the farmer (name yet to be confirmed). The player will help the farmer with a variety of tasks such as counting how many pigs are in the pen etc. The farmer will have the stereotypical look including a straw hat, blue overalls, messy brown hair, black boots, plaid shirt and hay in his mouth.​ Sub-characters for this game will be farm animals such as sheep, horses, cows and pigs. Each animal will be involved with a different task.

We plan to include shapes in this game too in order to appeal to young kids at a basic level of maths. ​The colour scheme will consist of bright colours mainly of primary tones.​The background design for this game will obviously be in a farm setting therefore the kids will be able to see and interact with objects and animals. In the background there will be elements such as animal pens, grass, hay bales, a barn, a windmill and a tractor.​The menu on the main page will be designed as wooden planks like a fence and will have different options. A large block font will be used to ensure clarity and easy viewing. ​

Final Draft

E-learning
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Introduction: For my literary review I will be studying constructivism in e-learning and the theory of constructivism. Constructivism is being studied more and introduced into classroom and learning environments encouraging students to further engage with their learning and thought process. Constructivism is also a controversial topic when linked to e-learning therefore in this literary review I intend to prove the benefits of constructivism in e-learning.

Theme: Education/e-learning
Constructivism vs objectivism: Where is the difference for designers of e-learning environments? centers on the theme of education and learning as it exploits online e-learning environments and the lack of engagement it has with higher level students. This article also discusses the implications that this lack of engagement has on higher level students as their ability to learn is restricted and as a result their work quality produced is poor. Catherine Twomey Fosnot also has written an informative and intriguing paper on the different types of learning and the theories that follow them including behaviourism, maturationism and finally constructivism. Each theory is discussed as Fosnot explains how they each tie into e-learning and how they effect the learning process for students and scholars alike. 

Theme: Effects 
Faris Algahtani's article discussed the important issue of students with intellectual disabilities using e-learning materials and how better teaching methods are needed to include and assist those suffering with such disabilities in the classroom and in e-learning environments. Algahtani also explains how behaviorism and constructivism effect and apply to students with intellectual learning disabilities. Rajabhat University conducted a study on their students over the period of three consecutive academic years to improve their students' thinking abilities by means of problem-based learning. The study conducted proved successful as the students thinking skills were shown to have improved after the study broke down the process into 3 different stages. 

Theme: Improvements in e-learning/models.
Keengwe, Jared; Onchwari, Grace; Agamba, Joachim wrote an educational article discussing how recent technological developments contributed to the process and application of e-learning. This article talks about how technology has been implemented within learning and activities for students. The constructivism theory is also implemented and applied throughout this article. Stephan Poelmans & Patrick Wessa produced an article based on a student constructed evaluation. The studied subjects have produced a constructivist e-learning environment for statistics titled the compendium platform who's purpose was intended to create and demonstrate a deeper understanding of learning. The creation and launch of the model constructed was explained in further detail here. Koohang, A., Riley, L., Smith, T. & Schreurs also contributed an article based on a learner focused model that aims to help and assist e-learning performances displayed in two catagories learning design and assessment elements. The model is based on the constructivism learning theory and it's applications are shown in realistic environments. 

Theme: Theories
Pedagogical quality in e-learning is a well written paper that discusses the importance of designing e-learning environments from a theoretical stand point. It's aim is to create a fully functional system and complete understanding of e-learning and e-learning applications from a pedagogical point of view. The bond between valuation and design is further explained through a theoretical approach, the theory of cognitivism, radical constructivism and activity theory are discussed as three frameworks. 

Conclusion: Constructivism along with its various theories and principles play an important part in the production of e-learning environments and applications within a classroom or learning environment. Constructivism is proven in these articles to improve the learning qualities for students and further develop their thinking skills which has already shown to be effective and successful in the articles above. 

Citations:

Koohang, A., Riley, L., Smith, T. & Schreurs, J. (2009). E-Learning and Constructivism: From Theory to Application. Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects, 5(1), 91-109. Informing Science Institute. Retrieved February 10, 2019 

Informing Science Journal, Volume 8, 2005, Open Source: A Metaphor for E-Learning, Alex Koohang University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Milwaukee, USA Keith Harman Northcentral University Prescott, Arizona, USA 

Proceedings 3rd IEEE International Conference on Advanced Technologies,  9-11 July 2003, Publisher: IEEE

E-learning and Education, 2005, Peer Review, Humanities, Journal article

Second edition, editor Catherine Twomey Fosnot, publisher: Teacher's College Press, Teachers College, Columbia University New York and London

Faris Algahtani. "Teaching students with intellectual disabilities: Constructivism or behaviorism?." Educational Research and Reviews 12, no. 21 (2017): 1031-1035.

• Published: 10 November 2017
 
• 
  

A Model of e-Learning by Constructivism Approach Using Problem-Based Learning to Develop Thinking Skills for Students in Rajabhat University." Educational Research and Reviews 9, no. 21 (2014): 1165-1172.  Published: 10 November 2014

Keengwe, Jared; Onchwari, Grace; Agamba, Joachim

Education and Information Technologies, v19 n4 p887-898 Dec 2014

Layout

Academic writing
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This literature review consists of the study and theory of constructivism which has been studied extensively by various authors, students and experts. It's focus is on designing a new model of constructivism which introduces constructivism and constructivism principles to e-learning. This review includes a variety of articles which highlight the meaning and importance of constructivism. 

E-Learning and Constructivism: From theory to application by Koohang, A., Riley, L., Smith, T. & Schreurs, J. (2009) is a prime example of a well written article that fully explores constructivism in depth. This article centers on a model who's aim is to assist e-learning by focusing on two categories assessment elements and learning design elements. The theory of constructivism comes into play with this model as its applied to realistic situations. The model is studied and placed in an e-learning environment and demonstrates its effect as the article explores the history of constructivism.

Open Source: A metaphor for E-Learning by Alex Koohang University of Wisconsin, Volume 8, 2005 explores and explains what an open source means and how it effects e-learning. Open source proves here to be an important part of e-learning as this article explains how it's incorporated into e-learning. The three main topics touched on are instructional practices, instructional philosophy and instructional platforms. This article encourages the use of open source in e-learning for scholars and educational figures. 

Constructivism vs objectivism: Where is the difference for designers of e-learning environments? 2003 aims to display the studies of different forms of learning and how they are used online in e-learning environments. The education system is dissected and exposed as one learns of how higher education systems impose restrictions on their scholars which as a result restricts their ability to learn and also reduces their quality of work. 

Pedagogical quality in e-learning 2005, Peer Review comes from a theoretical point of view as it discusses the designing of an e-learning system. It aims to create a functional system from the pedagogical point of view for a change. This theoretical approach bands together the factors of design and evaluation through the three frameworks activity theory, cognitivism and radical constructivism. 

Constructivism: Theory, perspectives and practice by Catherine Twomey Fosnot begins with the introduction of theories of behaviourism, constructivism and maturationism explaining how each can be a contributing factor in e-learning. Important aspects of the biological structure and evolutionary system are detailed and explored as they are involved in the theory and practice of constructivism. Constructivism learning approaches have been explained within the structure of this article. 

Teaching Students with Intellectual Disabilities: Constructivism or Behaviourism? Faris Algahtani discussed an important topic in e-learning involving students with intellectual disabilities and aims to create better teaching and learning strategies that would be suitable for those suffering from any intellectual disabilities. The debate between behaviourism and constructivism is a long one which is also explored in further detail as Algahtani explains how each is applied to those with such problems. 

A Model of E-Learning by Constructivism Approach Using Problem-Based Learning to Develop Thinking Skills for Students in Rajabhat University,, 2014, Rajabhat University have conducted an extensive study on their students over the period of three consecutive academic years. The aim was to improve the students' thinking abilities through problem-based learning. The research shown has been divided into three phases. Phase 1 explores the characteristics of developing thinking skills, phase 2 thinking skills were developed by means of a model and phase 3 showed the appliance of the model to improve the students thinking skills. In the end of the study it was shown to be effective as students had evidently developed their thinking skills. 

Promoting Effective E-Learning Practices through the Constructivist Pedagogy by Keengwe, Jared; Onchwari, Grace; Agamba, Joachim, Dec 2014, explores how technology has been developed hugely to the point that it can now be a useful contributing factor in e-learning. The connections between technology and learning/activities for students is further explained as is the theory of constructivism and its principles. 

Conclusion: To conclude, constructivism along with its theories and principles are a very important part of e-learning and the education system itself. As seen in the articles above constructivism improves learning for students and scholars alike. It evidently can be used to hopefully create new methods and applications of learning that aid those who struggle with intellectual disabilities. E-learning and constructivism should be discussed more as it's an improvement to the education system and helps students receive a better quality of learning. 

Citations:

Koohang, A., Riley, L., Smith, T. & Schreurs, J. (2009). E-Learning and Constructivism: From Theory to Application. Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects, 5(1), 91-109. Informing Science Institute. Retrieved February 10, 2019 

Informing Science Journal, Volume 8, 2005, Open Source: A Metaphor for E-Learning, Alex Koohang University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, Milwaukee, USA Keith Harman Northcentral University Prescott, Arizona, USA 

Proceedings 3rd IEEE International Conference on Advanced Technologies,  9-11 July 2003, Publisher: IEEE

E-learning and Education, 2005, Peer Review, Humanities, Journal article

Second edition, editor Catherine Twomey Fosnot, publisher: Teacher's College Press, Teachers College, Columbia University New York and London

Faris Algahtani. "Teaching students with intellectual disabilities: Constructivism or behaviorism?." Educational Research and Reviews 12, no. 21 (2017): 1031-1035.

• Published: 10 November 2017
• 
  

A Model of e-Learning by Constructivism Approach Using Problem-Based Learning to Develop Thinking Skills for Students in Rajabhat University." Educational Research and Reviews 9, no. 21 (2014): 1165-1172.  Published: 10 November 2014

Keengwe, Jared; Onchwari, Grace; Agamba, Joachim

Education and Information Technologies, v19 n4 p887-898 Dec 2014

Annotated bibliography 2

E-learning

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Introduction: As part of our module for multimedia development in semester 2 we're exploring what multimedia consists of, what it's about and further research into it's individual areas. I've personally chosen to research constructivism and the theory of constructivism as well as how it's applied in e-learning environments. Constructivism also ties in with cognitivism and behaviourism which are also being studied by other members within my project group. 

Main themes: Constructivism, e-learning, education, theories, model design.

Article 1 - Teaching Students with Intellectual Disabilities: Constructivism or Behaviourism?

Faris Algahtani. "Teaching students with intellectual disabilities: Constructivism or behaviorism?." Educational Research and Reviews 12, no. 21 (2017): 1031-1035.

• Published: 10 November 2017

This article targets the issue of enhancing teaching and learning strategies in order to aid and assist those students with intellectual disabilities by means of the education system. The extensive debate between behaviourism and constructivism is evident within this article as it touches on both and explains how each one is applied to students with intellectual disabilities. The factors and principles of behaviourism and constructivism are summarized within this article as are the details and facts of intellectual disabilities. 

Article 2 - A Model of E-Learning by Constructivism Approach Using Problem-Based Learning to Develop Thinking Skills for Students in Rajabhat University

A Model of e-Learning by Constructivism Approach Using Problem-Based Learning to Develop Thinking Skills for Students in Rajabhat University." Educational Research and Reviews 9, no. 21 (2014): 1165-1172.  Published: 10 November 2014

This article focuses on a study taken in a University in Thailand as they set out to develop their students thinking skills in a higher degree. The article discusses the process to create this through a model of e-learning by using problem-based-learning. This research is laid out in three separate phases that cover the tactics. In phase one the characteristics of developing thinking skills were studied while in phase two a model was constructed to develop these specific thinking skills. Finally phase three studied the appliance of this model to developing thinking skills. As a result it was shown within the article that this method was effective as students had developed their thinking skills. 

Article 3 - Promoting Effective E-Learning Practices through the Constructivist Pedagogy

Keengwe, Jared; Onchwari, Grace; Agamba, Joachim

Education and Information Technologies, v19 n4 p887-898 Dec 2014

This article discusses how recent technological developments have been made to assist the e-learning area as it was previously not a big assisting factor within e-learning strategies. The article also touches on how technology has been implemented within learning and activities for students. The theory of constructivism is also explored here as is the principles of constructivism are explained as they contribute to the design of e-learning activities. 

Article 4 - A Constructivist Approach in a Blended E-Learning Environment for Statistics

Stephan Poelmans & Patrick Wessa (2015) A constructivist approach in a blended e-learning environment for statistics, Interactive Learning Environments, 23:3, 385-401, DOI: 10.1080/10494820.2013.766890

This article is based on a study from a student constructed evaluation. The students in this article have created a constructivist e-learning environment for statistics titled the compendium platform. The purpose of building such a system was to involve and have a deeper understanding of learning by means of tactics such as peer review practices. This system captivates students in a new e-learning experience. The article also explains how a model was launched for the study over the period of three academic years. 

Article 5 - Constructivist E-Learning in Higher Education

Bognar, Branko; Gajger, Vesna; Ivic, Vlatka

Online Submission, Paper presented at the Faculty of Teacher Education University of Zagreb Conference--Researching Paradigms of Childhood and Education (Opatija, Croatia, April 13-15, 2015)

This article discusses the importance of having e-learning incorporated in every level of education and how even though it's included in higher education it's very much reduced to minimal material such as downloading content from websites of teachers and learning platforms. It also explains how students aren't getting as involved as they should be with their learning materials and teaching systems by expressing thoughts and opinions. Constructivism principles and constructionism are applied within the learning platform Moodle which is almost always used in higher education. This article concludes that the research conducted has shown that creating a constructivist e-learning environment is a success with students studying higher education. 

Conclusion: To conclude, from my extensive research into the topic of constructivism and the theory of constructivism I've learned it's importance and role within e-learning and the education system itself. Constructivism is being introduced more and more as a better way of approaching education, learning and teaching methods in order to improve the quality of learning for not only students and students with intellectual disabilities but also for those who's occupation is centered around education. The articles listed show how designing models and creating new tactics can actually improve learning for students and engage them.