A narrative centred Informant Design approach for interactive learning environments

Abstract

This paper describes a narrative centred design approach, which has been developed to produce multimedia-based Interactive Learning Environments (ILEs) that incorporate a 'designed-in' narrative intended to provide users with a rich and engaging learning experience. The Narrative Centred Informant Design (NCID) approach is introduced and described. NCID has been developed from an analysis of narrative theory and computer games development, and incorporates dramatic and narrative devices that are meaningful to the target learner group. One of the major issues addressed is how to ensure that the ILE will appeal to students who find the domain knowledge difficult. The development of a prototype ILE that utilises the NCID approach is described and the design process is outlined. The paper concludes by identifying how the design framework can be further developed and refined.