Supporting ill-structured problem solving in interactive multimedia learning environments

The convergence of technologies that allow the representation of ideas in many different media formats(data, text, graphic, sound and video) and the growth of constructivist approaches to learning has created new challenges for learning software development. The applications increasingly incorporate more;production-focussed learning strategies. Typically instructional designers have accessed models that were devised within a behavioural approach to the learning task. Many of the popular instructional (design models do not reflect this change in philosophical orientation and suggest anything more than a process. This paper describes how an award-winning interactive learning product, developed within a constructivist paradigm incorporating problem solving challenges for learners (including both task/deductive and data\inductive driven scenarios), is used in classrooms.