HOME
International Symposium 1998 TOP
CV


Dr. Anura Goonasekera
Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC), Head of Research
E-mail: anura@powerup.com.au


CRN International Symposium Jan 22- 24, 1998. Tokyo

Session on Learning to Learn

APPLYING MULTIMEDIA FOR EDUTAINMENT OF CHILDREN IN ASIA

Anura Goonasekera
Abstract

The paper will review research findings in the use of multimedia technology for education and entertainment of children in Asia. It will describe briefly the socio-economic background of Asia. This will be followed by a presentation of salient research findings relating to children and multimedia. Finally trends in the application of multimedia technology in selected Asian countries will be presented.

It is common knowledge that there is great economic and cultural diversity in Asia. At an elementary level one could discern two Asias. A poor Asia and a rich Asia. However the whole of Asia is fast moving towards a multimedia superhighway. Some countries in Asia are doing this much faster than others. Out of 53 countries in Asia 20 are already having or planning to have their own national satellites. Asia is expected to account for 40 per cent of the worlds GNP within the next 25 years.

Some relevant research findings are:

  • Children prefer computer to writing. Writing is perceived as most difficult

  • Teacher's personal instructions are important in broadcast education

  • Teachers and students adapt to computers in classroom in stages viz. entry stage; adoption stage; adaptation stage; appropriation stage; invention stage

  • An adult's attitude towards computer learning influence how a child will approach a computer

  • Heart of computer learning is teachers interaction with students

  • In the field of technology learning never stops

  • Multimedia allows students to assert individual identity and move away from uniform education

Generally what the research show is that there is an important role for the teacher in multimedia education. However this role is different from the traditional role of a teacher.

Finally the paper will describe multimedia projects for children in five countries. The countries are Australia, India, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore.

(end)

Copyright (c) 1997, Child Research Net, All rights reserved