Specifying the Didactic Design of Educational Multimedia and Telematics Applications

Abstract

This article deals with the problem of the didactic (or 'pedagogical') design of educational software. An object-oriented design method and a supporting tool (called 'Shoctool') are presented. The method and the tool both stimulate the re-use of existing design and code segments. Resulting designs can be accessed for completeness, allow for comparisons among designs and are relatively easy to read for others than the designer himself. The idea is that the use of such a method and tool can make the development process more efficient and can lead to a more professional approach of the didactic design of educational software in general. Shoctool is described along with several examples from real practice. The article concludes with a discussion of the experience we had with the introduction and use.