Chapter 3 Reflection

     Chapter 3 goes into general factors that would apply to all software for learning and instruction.  There are five categories of general feature of software for learning.  They are as follows with a little explanation:

 

• Introduction of the program:  Always provide a title page, directions, and sometimes user identification is warranted to store and retrieve data, especially if the person logs off for some time, only to come back in to finish at a later date. 
• Learner control:  Users should have some control when using a program.  Adults need more control than kids.  Buttons, hyperlinks, and menus are considered methods of control.  Mouse and keyboards are the user’s main modes of control.
• Presentation of information:  Be consistent with text, font, and colors in the program you are creating.  Having common fonts, colors, and text is most important.
  
• Providing help:  Always provide help to your users.  Always keep a help box visible for users to access easily.
  
• Ending the program:  It is important to provide opportunity for users to end the program anywhere throughout the program.  Use safety nets and always allow learners the option to come back in at a later time to finish any business.

    

Our team project is to create a tutorial.  I believe that it is up to us and try to follow the rules given in this chapter.  With our tutorial, we hope to allow freedom for the user to navigate.  We want to present a colorful, fun, and eye catching tutorial that will adhere to the rules and tips provided in chapter 3.  Since tutorials provide instruction, help should always appear for the user.  I know I appreciate when help boxes are available to me.  Hopefully our project will benefit from the tips provided in this chapter.