SUMMARY

The research was carried out between 1999-2004 at the University of Art and Design Helsinki in collaboration with the Classroom Teacher Training Programme for Finnish Sign Language Users of Jyväskylä University, Finland. The design research is positioned in the areas of film (art), media, cinematic research, as well as the field of pedagogy. By merging participatory action research and WWW production an Internet based collaborative study concept dealing with cinematic expression entitled, CinemaSense, was developed and produced as part of the research work. It can be accessed in web form at [http://elokuvantaju.uiah.fi/]. The usability and accessibility of the flexible learning WWW service was observed during web-based courses in cinematic expression during 2001, with the help of a concept survey and network-based communication.

The aim was to produce an accessible web-based study product, as well as to clarify, in support of the production, the sign language students' deepening of knowledge and conceptualization related to the subject of cinematic expression, as well as their collaboration during the web-based course. The aim is connected to the general aim of inclusion, for a shared and open university, which adapts flexibly to the needs of different students.

The research problem was to solve how to produce an accessible WWW service on cinematic expression, which supports both collaborative web-based learning as well as individual development of knowledge in the field of film.

The methodology was based on user-centric and participatory design methods in which, with the help of design research, a service concept for flexible collaborative web-based study of film was developed and the accessible CinemaSense portal was produced. The WWW service was tested and developed into an accessible and multi-cultural, art subject, web-based study format with the help of sign language students. Thirdly, observations and experiences from the design research were sought for theoretical consilience with the help of constructive and collaborative learning theory, the cognitive sciences and research of cultural evolution.

The data of the research is made up of the concept maps, questionnaires, e-mail messages, dairies and documentary films of the research group participants as well as the concept maps and initial questions of the control group. The material is complemented with the e-mail communication of the CinemaSense production group members as well as the MA thesis project, dealing with the CinemaSense production process (Laitinen & Viikari 2001).

Results: 1) Theoretical investigation and description of the design research process as to how to produce a web service and basic level, net-based learning material for the study of cinematic expression. 2) The research group participants' concept maps became more conformed and their concepts became more professional whilst studying cinematic expression in the web-based course. 3) By the end of the web-based course the concept maps of the participants had developed from film viewer maps to filmmaker maps. 4) The research group traced professional production, designed and developed the subject of a documentary film, organized the production and produced three documentary films. 5) The accessible and multi-language CinemaSense v1.0 service and a web-study course concept for flexible art subject studies was produced. The research also increased understanding in interactivity of multi-lingual, web-based study. The results can be applied in the production of multi-modal web courses, interfaces and services that, for their own part, promote inclusion as well as multi-cultural and flexible university study.

Keywords: art education, film, cinematic reserch, web-based learning material, usability, accessibility, computer-aided collaborative learning, Computer Supported Collaborative Learning, CSCL, design research, action research, multi-modality, net pedagogy, web-based study, WWW service.