What Is Multimedia?

CECS 5110

What Is Multimedia?
Multimedia is a computer-based interactive communications process that incorporates text, graphics, sound, animation, and video

Interactive
Key

feature of multimedia User determines what content is delivered, when it is delivered and how

Non-linear

Computer-based Multimedia
2 or more media Computer multimedia

Multi-sensory experience real world Multi-sensory memory imprints Different learning styles benefit

Hypertext - links Hypermedia - hypermedia ware

Hypermedia
Based on cognitive theories of how people structure knowledge and how they learn Links to navigate Non-sequential navigation

Hypermedia Applications
Instructional courseware

Appropriately introduced Follow-up activities

Teacher and students own creations

Multimedia Advantages
Engrossing deep involvement Multi-sensory Creates knowledge connections Individualized Teacher and student creation

Multimedia Disadvantages
Lost in cyberspace Lack of structure Non-interactive if one-way, no feedback Text intensive content Complex to create Time consuming Cognitive overload Linear content

Multimedia Growth

Marketing Standpoint User Standpoint

Multimedia Growth
Marketing Standpoint

Computer price

1992 1 mil - $2,500 or $1,000 upgrade 1996 24 mil - $1,500 or $300 upgrade 1992 5,000 - $100 1996 15,000 - $30

Multimedia titles

Hype - killer applications Value added enhances computer use

Multimedia Growth
User Standpoint

User control
No

longer only lectures and/or printed materials Any sequence of the material, any time, anywhere, any modality

Individualization
Address

different learning styles and needs User decides how material is presented: visual, audio, textual Adjusting level of difficulty

Multimedia Growth
User Standpoint (cont.) Action
Active processes: simulations, acting out a play, testing knowledge and feedback

Examples
500 Nations, Grandma and Me , Magic School Bus

Major Categories of Multimedia Titles

Entertainment Education Corporate communications Reference

Major Categories of Multimedia Titles

Entertainment

Games: action and graphics Action + storytelling Physical coordination + mental outwitting Accommodates different learning styles: association vs. experimentation; auditory vs. visual Provides feedback, levels of difficulty, evaluates skills, nonlinear presentations

Education

Major Categories of Multimedia Titles

Corporate communications (marketing and training)
Attract

attention to a message Product catalogs, published magazines, touchscreen kiosks, online shopping, Stockholder's meeting, sales rep pitch, conference speaker, employee orientation and training,

Major Categories of Multimedia Titles

Reference
CD: encyclopedias, census data, directories, dictionaries

Delivering Multimedia
Compact disc
Inexpensive, easy mass produce and distribute

Kiosk

Computer system to access info, perform transactions or play games Convenience, reduces personnel costs, but expensive maintenance Web pages, product advertisement, demos,

Online

The End
University of North Texas Dr. Vicky Cereijo