- Title
- The role of visual storytelling in enhancing online learning experience design at Nelson Mandela University
- Creator
- Waring, Elmien
- Subject
- Digital storytelling -- South Africa
- Subject
- Information visualization
- Subject
- Visual communication
- Date Issued
- 2024-04
- Date
- 2024-04
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/63584
- Identifier
- vital:73505
- Description
- As the landscape of higher education undergoes a shift toward a combination of online instructional methods and traditional in-person engagement, a creative approach becomes essential in ensuring student success. The research aims to explore how visual storytelling can enhance the online learning experience at Nelson Mandela University (NMU), thereby improving the effectiveness of teaching and knowledge acquisition. This study delves into the Learning Experience Design (LXD), a blend of instructional design, design thinking, and user experience design, within the teaching community of Nelson Mandela University and the broader South African context. Employing a mixed-method approach, qualitative data from interviews identified themes such as the improvement of LXD, challenges in the design process, and the utilization of visual storytelling. Quantitative analysis revealed that students primarily used the university learning management system (Moodle) for accessing resources, grades, and reviewing tests, with limited engagement in online learning activities. Lecturers expressed concern about Moodle’s functionality, a need for enhanced design support, and the necessity for training in the transition to digital learning. While lecturers recognized the potential of visual storytelling in enhancing engagement and knowledge retention, they emphasized the importance of support for the seamless integration into teaching. Students acknowledged the positive role of visual storytelling in improving their learning experience but highlighted areas of improvement, such as regular updates, increased visual interaction options, and the inclusion of information graphics to explain concepts. A design thinking process informed the development of instructional design interventions, leading to the creation of a prototype Moodle course shell and resources. This initiative aims to empower lecturers to enhance the learning experiences independently with the support of professional LXD services. The research findings suggest that visual storytelling indeed improves LXD, emphasizing the need for established support systems and resources at the university to equip lecturers for successful integration.
- Description
- Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, School of Visual and Performing Arts, 2024
- Format
- computer
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (114 pages)
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Humanities
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela University
- Rights
- All Rights Reserved
- Rights
- Open Access
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Collections
NMU School of Music, Art and Design
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | Waring, E April 2024.pdf | 4 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |