This document provides an introduction to an educational multimedia design course. It defines multimedia as the combination of different media types into a coherent framework to serve educational purposes. Multimedia allows for simulations, taps into different learning styles, and provides accessibility and interactivity. The design process involves roles like interface designers, instructional designers, and usability testers. Over the course of the semester, students will work on milestone projects leading to a final multimedia project developed using Adobe Flash that demonstrates a small slice of a larger educational idea.

1. EDCI 591 Introduction

2. Multimedia involves more than addition of simple data types… …rather, it’s a “simultaneous integration of a wide range of symbolic modes into a coherent framework” (Hodges & Sasnett, 1990, 3) Multimedia = The combination of different representations Compound documents in simple, broad sense Most importantly, it’s not about using it everywhere, but using it intelligently, selectively, correctly, and with a rationale to support teaching and learning What purpose can educational multimedia serve?

3. Why multimedia? Allows users to experience learning situations they would not otherwise encounter SIMULATIONS Taps into potentially different learning & teaching styles Concrete learning experience (learners can manipulate, “touch”, see, and hear) Accessibility (Universal Design for Learning: UDL) Constructivist active reflective build upon prior knowledge construct own understanding (individually & socially) Customized learning Learner control and freedom (autonomy) Why multimedia?

4. Flexibility (pedagogical) Address cognitive load on learner Instant access to exemplary resources, primary and secondary sources Rich media to link conceptual to real-life Visual Literacy INTERACTIVITY Why multimedia (cont.)?

5. Who are the “players”? The Interface designers The Interactions & Functionality Design team Pedagogy Experts and Teachers Instructional Designers Usability/User Testing Team Project Managers Evaluation/Assessment Team The Educational Software Design Process

6. You will play all of those roles! The Interface designers The Interactions & Functionality Design team Pedagogy Experts and Teachers Instructional Designers Usability/User Testing Team Project Managers Evaluation/Assessment Team IN this class

7. Each week Read the required article or set of articlesfor that week View any videos posted to D2L Post your reflection by Friday of that week Post at least one peer response by Monday of the following week See the syllabus for details In this clasS

8. Over the course of the semester, you will work on a series of “milestone” projects that will lead you toward the development of your final project. These include: Statement of instructional design that outlines the educational component of your project Interface design that details the look and feel of your project Static wireframe that is a basic outline of your project in Adobe Flash Peer usability test where you examine how users interact with your project Final project milestones

9. The final project you develop for this class: Will be done using Adobe Flash Your instructor will provide download instructions for the program in Week 3 Should be a WORKING MODEL of your project What this means is that you are not responsible for developing an entire project Instead, you will develop only a small “slice” of a bigger idea This small “slice” should convey to a user what the program would look like if you had the time and resources to completely build it out. About the final project

10. Email me through D2L or at dean.phillips@montana.edu if you have any questions NOTE: This class will move rather quickly given the 8-week time frame. With that in mind, please do not hesitate to contactmeif you have any questions, issues, or concerns regarding the course, material, or projects. Questions or comments?