This document discusses and compares two technological artifacts - the video game Assassin's Creed and school-issued laptops - in an educational context. Assassin's Creed could be incorporated into a historical inquiry project on Ancient Rome, allowing students familiar with the game to research related topics. In contrast, school laptops take some time to boot up, have restricted capabilities, and are not always used effectively by students and teachers in the classroom.

1. 1751 Assignment 1: Case Study
In relation to it's application in the educational context;
A good example of a technological artefact-'Assassin's
Creed' ( gaming software)
A bad example of a technological artefact- DET school
laptops (hardware)

2. 'Assassin’s Creed'

3. Assassin's Creed in action!

4. In the educational context
Assassin's Creed could be incorporated into
a historical web-quest.
It builds on connections with students who
are familiar with the game and uses game
based learning the tool for historical
inquiry.
Stage 4 of History syllabus: Societies and
civilisations of the past; Ancient
Rome(BOS, 2003). The setting of
Assassin's Creed is Rome: 1500's. Eg 4.10 oral,
written & ICT communicate effectively about the past (BOS<
2003). The game could lead to primary and secondary source
research in preparation to an oral or written presentation.

5. DET school laptop

6. DET school laptop

7. DET school laptop

8. DETwere distributed to year 9 students in 2010 (DET,
More than 60, 000 laptops
School laptop
2012). They have been distributed to all year 9 students across Australia
since 2009 and are used for educational purposes.
The Levono laptop operates windows 7 (DET, 2012).
Takes approximately 3 minutes to boot up, enter your username and password
and then enter the internet, via your school webpage portal as well as open
software such as 'one- note' which organises class notes under subject, topic
etc.
Has blocked and restricted sites
Have been known to be hacked or modified, however this is a serious and legal
breach of the contract signed upon receiving the laptop, by tampering with it!
Cannot install and play games such as 'Assassin's Creed'.
Often under or over-used in the classroom. There is not enough ongoing training
for students and teachers to use these laptops to their full capacity. Eg.
Effective communication could take place between students, teachers, their
families and the wider community by use of email.

9. References
Australian Board of Studies NSW (2003).
History Years 7-10 Syllabus. Sydney:
Author
Microsoft (2010) Assassin's Creeds :
Brotherhood. France: Ubisoft.
Http://www.det.nsw.edu.au/detresources
assassinscreed.uk.ubi.com/experience/