Methodology

Crossing between cultural contents and interactive design

Why not cross cultural contents with interactive design? In our project we try to balance the relations between: contents, educational goals, visual communication e interaction design, to obtain a new learning approach. We create an interaction between different areas: process analysis and their graphic representation are strengthened one another, representing so again the complexity of the human mind.

Using the multimedia tools, people choose and approach the different subjects through texts and high definiton images. They can select, overwrite, elaborate and move animations in every moments. So that, and thanks to multimedial technologies, they can reach an intuitive approach of contents. Public have access to a dynamic system that allows them to make examples, practical exercises and gives the ability to quickly select visual materials and multimedia contents: to explain, connect themes, or deepen a theme with different multimedia tools.

Cognitive Technology
Our project starts from the reflections on cognitive technologies that are “devices that can involve internal processes of the mind”. If new technologies will be integrated in a pedagogical and cultural planning, we would have new opportunities to expand technical design possibilities and especially didactic/cognitive objectives. “To start thinking constructively to information and communication technologies in teaching we need to consider the effects of cognitive technologies: technologies have profound implications in cognitive processes of people who use them”. Technologies can be seen as an instrument, or as an experience of learning environment and knowledge. As Antonio Calvani in “new the media in the school” asserts, cognitive technologies will involve new possibility for the human mind:

  • the lightening of the cognitive load, part of which will be transferred outside;
  • the valorization of some cognitive functions, like the inferential strategy;
  • the opening of new spaces and functionality of the mind, if the cultural context will allow it.

Innovations in communication technologies involve sensory and cognitive reorganizations that go with a transfer of tasks and inner functions (mental) on external supports (physical)

School is late: lack of cognitive techonologies
School are hardly equipping themselves with computers, interactive whiteboards, printers, software. What’s still missing? An academic training and up-dating on knew cognitive possibility. Knowledge technologies might be integrated in pedagogical planning as they permit to obtain an increase in cognitive objectives. Most of the commercial DVD for school are a simple digital transcription of a scholar book, with some interactive cursors key, without a learning innovative approach. So how can we raise interest of students and give teachers new opportunities in the transmission of knowledge? We don’t need to get more technology to school, we need the right tools to create a new learning scenario throught cognitive techonolgies.