Community Based Software Development the Case of Movelex

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Usual e-learning development
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In the Movelex-model
the different groups communicate through a
2-level system of shared objects
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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

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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).
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Thank you for your attention!

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