Published Resources Details Thesis

Author
Bunnett, A. B.
Title
Information technology in social education: a study of the factors influencing social education database development
Type of Work
MEd thesis
Imprint
University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, 1995
Url
http://cat.lib.unimelb.edu.au/record=b1886001~S30
Subject
Victoria
Abstract

This thesis examines the factors which influenced the development of an educational database called 'Development, boom and bust', which, took over ten years to complete. The thesis commences with an examination of the content, methodological and other reasons for the use of information technology in social education. It concludes that databases have much to offer social education curricula in terms of both teaching content as well as illuminating the methods of the social scientist. Databases such as 'Development, boom and bust' have the additional benefit of encouraging students to develop a healthy respect for the potential unreliability of published data, an important attitude in this information technology oriented society. In the light of this analysis other social education databases published in the past 10 years are then examined. Despite their obvious value many are found to be either out of date and need upgrading to current levels of technology. Issues involved in the design and creation of social education databases are then explored with respect to three elements: software design and selection, data issues, and curriculum materials design. Initially hampered by technological problems, the 'Development, boom and bust' project was eventually completed as a result of technological developments, as well as human factors such as illness (resulting in increased availability of time), and particular combinations of skills and content expertise. Despite their considerable advantages there has been little further development of databases since the first rush of enthusiasm in the early 1980's. It is suggested that reasons for this include the dearth of developers with appropriate skills, and the poor financial rewards for the volume of work.