SEEDS: Multimedia Applications in Education

by John Blackwell

Introduction and Importance of Multimedia

Examples of Educational Multimedia

Lessons in the Teaching/Learning Process

Where to start the Multimedia Instruction Experience

Building an Online Multimedia Web Community

Multimedia Resources: Tools, Plug-Ins, Demos

HyperNews Forum


Introduction

People only retain 20% of what they see and 30% of what they hear. But they remember 50% of what they see and hear, and as much as 80% of what they see, hear, and do simultaneously. -Computer Technology Research, 1993

Multimedia is any combination of text,graphics,art,sound,animation, and video with links and tools that let the teacher/learner navigate, interact, and communicate with the computer. When you allow the user (the viewer) to control what and when these elements are delivered, it is interactive multimedia. When you provide a structure of linked elements through which the learner can navigate, interactive multimedia becomes hypermedia.

Although the definition of multimedia is simple, making it work can be complicated. Not only do you need to understand how to make each multimedia element stand up and dance, but you also need to know how to tie the elements together using educational multimedia computer tools. If done properly, interactive multimedia excels in leaving lasting impressions in the teaching/learning process. Retention rates increase by 25% to 50%.

Importance of Multimedia

Multimedia is fast emerging as a basic skill that will be as important to life in the twenty-first century as reading is now. In fact, multimedia is changing the nature of reading itself. Instead of limiting you to the linear presentation of text as printed in books, multimedia makes reading dynamic by giving words an important new dimension. In addition to conveying meaning, words in multimedia serve as triggers that readers can use to expand the text in order to learn more about a topic. This is accomplished not only by providing more text but by bringing it to life with sound, pictures, music, and video.

Multimedia will help spread the information age to millions of teachers/learners who have not yet used the computer. Multimedia educational computing is one of the fastest growing markets in the world today.

Fueling this growth are advances in technology and price wars that have dramatically lowered the cost of multimedia computers. The growing number of internet users has created a larger market for multimedia. The new tools are enabling educators to become developers. Noting how multimedia is used to enable individuals to create course material, that once required teams of specialists, individuals can now produce multimedia desktop video productions.

Commercial and educational available generic courseware to support commercial products are emerging. For these reasons, it is important to share information about what goes into the development of multimedia, and the appropriate use of multimedia, so that educators can make wise choices in selecting instructional applications.

Examples

"Multimedia is a synthesis: a hybrid offering the advantages of the user-driven book with the wonders of electronic technology" -Robert Winter; UCLA Roundtable in Multimedia

Education courses,skills, and knowledge are too often taught out of context. To overcome this, educators are using multimedia to bring into their classrooms real-world examples to provide a contextual framework important for learning. Multimedia and tools like the Internet give Faculty instant access to millions of resources. These materials can be called up instantly for cooperative learning, critical thinking, discussions , problem solving, and self-study.

One of the best examples of this, is Alan ("Geologist turned Instructional Technologist")Levine's work at the Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction,MCLI Multimedia Authoring or try the Marjorie Mitchell Multimedia Center at NWU.Another excellent example is Malaspina's Instructional Technology Center.

Lessons Learned

"Multimedia systems may be defined as the 'Interactive Dramatization of Information" -Alfred Ricconi, Multimedia PC Systems

Here's what some users (both teachers and learners have to say):

"Multimedia Networks add an important dimension to educational computing.Multimedia computing and the Infomation Superhighway are linking universities, colleges, schools, and homes into continuum that is breaking down distinction between grade levels. Students can collaborate on worldwide projects. The benefits of Multimedia reduce learning time and achievement levels are more than a standard deviation higher.(a full letter grade in school)" -Fred Hofstetter, Consulting Scholar

a. teachers using the web:

Multimedia Authoring at Algonquin College in Ontario, or Gerri Sinclair's EXCITE Center that specializes in Multimedia Educational Technology at SFU, or try the Institute of Learning Technologies at theTeachers College,Columbia University.
Another excellent example is Internet Multimedia Teaching - Australia. (Includes Sound and Video Files)

b. learners tell their tales:

"The improved learning styles of using Virtual WebChat Rooms, E-Mail Conferencing, and the chemistry generated using Multimedia Course Delivery methods is the neatest learning experience of my life." - Robert Block, Douglas College Student

Where to start

"An old saying says you should plan your work and work your plan. Whether designing Web pages, writing a book, putting together an article, or writing a letter, a substantial amount of planning goes into creating a product. For a book, you usually don't start at the first word and write straight through to the last word. The same is true for setting up a set of Web pages." - Paul J. Perry, World Wide Web Secrets

Well, here's a list of web sites that point to how to get started.

Building an Online Multimedia Web Community

Of course, the purpose of SEEDS is not just to point you out of the province. Some of the finest research in networked communities and in web applications takes place right here in our province. The following post-secondary educators have volunteered their sites for inspection. Please take a look at them and then enter your comments or questions in the HyperNews forum. Many of the Educators who have allowed us to point to their sites have also made their e-mail addresses available so that they can respond to your comments.Here are some Online Web Courses and Software Tools.

Multimedia Resources, Tools,Plug-Ins,Demos,Course Templates

Rob's Multimedia Lab (sponsored by ACM and SUN)

Multimedia Educational Materials

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Content: John Blackwell, John Gibson, Brian Jurick
Site maintained by: Donna Lowe
Sponsor: SCOET
Site designed by: BCIT's MediaStudio
last update: Feb 20, 1997