SVWebsite

Client: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

Engagement with web technology is increasingly fundamental to equipping new generations with technology skills. Students will require a certain level of digital citizenship to enable them to function in the 21st Century.

Funded through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD), FUSE is a state-wide online resource for teachers, providing access to Web 2.0 applications and promoting tools for primary and secondary school students. Spatial Vision, in partnership with the History Council of Victoria (HCV) and Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) were the successful recipients of a FUSE grant to develop a Web 2.0 learning application, One Place Many Stories, which is targeted at middle level primary students. This Google maps-based ‘mash-up’ draws on historic plans and images, sourced from PROV and other institutions, and supports the exploration of place, space and community.

The site supports students in working with local community groups and serves as a conduit through which students can become engaged in community issues, both historic and contemporary. Importantly, by its nature, One Place, Many Stories encourages students to consider issues in relation to the geographical dimension. This project has delivered an innovative and flexible integration of Web 2.0, mapping and media technologies for the benefit of Victorian children and communities.In developing One Place, Many Stories, great care and consideration went into creating an educational resource that will be useful for years to come. New content can be easily added and the application is readily refreshed over time. Moreover, educational subject matter addressing learning goals across a wide variety of domains and levels is supported. Ultimately, this innovative web application presents an exemplary model; it supports communication, learning and citizenship.

Demonstrated Capabilities

• Development of Web 2.0 educational resources/ Google Maps ‘mash-ups’ that encompass a range of custom–built functionality and integrate various data and media.
• Designing applications using open-source technologies; minimising development costs.
• Ability to design and develop engaging interdisciplinary educational resources.
• Effective approach toward delivering complex multi-organisation projects and consensus building.

Resources

Gemma Bailey was the project manager and worked closely with representatives from HCV, PROV and DEECD to deliver an application that integrates the strengths and insights of all parties involved. She oversaw the design of the user interface through extensive consultation with the teaching community and user audience.
Ian Miller was the solution architect. Ian identified appropriate web 2.0 and open source database technologies. The project been nominated for a Victorian Spatial Excellence Award in the People and Community category.Technologies Applied

• TOMCAT
• MOD JK
• GDAL/Python
• MySQL Database
• JAVA JRE

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