IT acquisition and learner-centric learning design

¶ … Learner Centric Learning Framework That Has the Following Characteristics;

Reward students for effort

Students hands on Students select level of competencies

Students design lessons through video games

Students stay engaged

Students gains confident

The learner centric learning framework will be designed in a manner that effectively reward the learners in order to motivate them into taking their learning endeavors serious (Jones,2007; Pedersen and Liu,2003). The system will allow for hands on experience in lesson design and implementation. The learner centric learning framework will also allow for the students to effectively select their own levels of competencies. The core element of this system is that it is fun. This is due to the fact that it allows the students to effectively design their own lessons via video games. This ensures that the students are engaged throughout the lesson while also gaining a lot of confidence. The implementation of this information technology (IT)-based learner centric learning framework will be in line with the fact that several Americans are online (About 199 million).This means that different businesses and institutions must be connected to the internet as well as wireless infrastructure in order for them to be effective as indicated by Pew Internet and American Life (2009).

The IT Components that will be used in making the learner centric learning framework a reality

Hardware and Devices

Several hardware and devices are necessary for the implementation of the learner centric learning framework. There is a need for system/hardware compatibility issues to be taken into account while implementing such a system. The ability of the system to function with legacy operating systems is also paramount. This is due to the fact that different students may have old operating systems in their home computers. In regard to the implementation of the system within the school premises, the following hardware and software will be necessary.

Software

Three types of operating systems will be used for the implementation of the system. These are;

1. Microsoft Windows® platform (could be Windows® 2000, Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, Windows Vista as well as Windows® 7).

2. Apple Macintosh® platform (could be Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or any other later version.

3. Linux ® platform (could be any operating system that can supports Internet explorer, Mozilla or higher as well as Chrome

Applications

The main applications that will be used in the implementation of the learner centric learning platform are;

1. The gaming application that will be hosted in a virtual environment that is similar to Second Life Virtual Gaming environment (Inman, Wright, Hartman,2010).

2. Web browsers such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Chrome and Safari.

3. Antivirus software to protect the e-Learning platform from threats from the larger internet infrastructure.

Hardware

If the Microsoft Windows® platform is used then the hardware should be IBM® having a compatible processor (CPU), VGA, memory (RAM) as well as hard drive with capacities that match the requirements for the different operating systems.

If the Apple Macintosh® platform is to be used then the hardware should comprise of Mac computer having an Intel processor, PowerPC G5 processor, or PowerPC G4 processor of 867 MHz or faster as dictated by the operating system minimum requirements

If the Linux ® platform is used then the hardware must comprise of a Processor (CPU), VGA, memory (RAM), as well as hard drive capacity that meets the operating system minimum requirements.

The other essential infrastructure/requirements for the operation of the learner-centric learner platforms are;

Internet access (dedicated broadband of speeds of more than 256 kbps)

Audio devices such as speakers and headphones

Adobe® Flash Player 9, Adobe® Shockwave and Adobe® PDF Reader 6.0

Microsoft® Word 2003 or later versions as well as any other compatible word processing programs

Microsoft® Excel 2003 or later versions, as well as any other compatible spreadsheet programs

USB web camera as well as its hardware drivers

Microphones

Discussion of the conceptual framework

Virtual worlds in the educational settings have been around from the 1970s as noted by Livingstone, Kemp, & Edgar (2008).The investigations into the successful adoption of 3D (Three dimensional) world in the context of educations has accelerated over the last two decades as noted by De Lucia,

Francese, Passero, & Tortora (2009). Kemp & Livingstone (2006) noted that educators have been attracted to the field of 3D virtual worlds for a number of reasons. The main reasons being that it allows for the implementation of a synchronous communication as well as increased collaboration in the learning process.

Second Life and Education