This document defines multimedia and discusses its appropriate uses in education. Multimedia combines various media types like text, images, sound, and video. It should be used to enrich learning, not replace traditional teaching. When woven properly, multimedia can improve information retention by provoking active learning. Content is often organized into learning objects and delivered via CD-ROM, DVD, or websites with consideration for file sizes and bandwidth.

1. Multimedia: Making It Work Joel Kinison Instructional Technology Coordinator Introduction to Multimedia

2. Overview In this module we will discuss: Define multimedia Understand why and where we should use multimedia Define a Learning Object Describe the to primary multimedia delivery methods

3. What is Multimedia? Multimedia is any combination of text, art, sound, animation and video delivered to you by computer or other electronic or digitally manipulated means.

4. Multimedia Forms Text Sound Still Images Animation Video Interactivity

5. What is Multimedia? The goal of using multimedia is to enhance the thought and action centers of people’s minds. When you give them interactive control of the process, they can be enchanted, thus improving the learning process.

6. Glossary

7. Where to Use Multimedia Multimedia should be thought as “enriching” the learning process, not as a potential substitute for traditional teacher-based methods.

8. Where to Use Multimedia Multimedia is appropriate whenever information of any kind is being presented. When properly woven, multimedia can improve information retention. Including multimedia in the teaching process will provoke “Experimental Learning” or “Active Learning” model of Kolb.

9. Kolb’s Model Learn More about Kolb’s Cycle of Experiential Learning: http://www.learningandteaching.info/learning/experience.htm

10. Learning Objects Typically multimedia subject matter is organized into “Learning Objects” of learning material to build rich learning objects (like Lego building blocks) that have a long shelf life. More on Learning Objects: http:// www.uwm.edu/Dept/CIE/AOP/learningobjects.html

11. Tabs

12. Multimedia Delivery Multimedia projects often require a large amount of digital memory; hence they are often stored on CD-ROM or DVDs. Web sites with rich media require large amounts of bandwidth. When delivering your multimedia consider of the users bandwidth. Methods and tools used to develop and deliver multimedia will be discussed later.

13. WebCT Considerations WebCT does not handle any audio or video files. Your browser and a plug-in handles the file. WebCT allows any file type to be uploaded and attached within the course, but the user must have the appropriate plug-in in order for it to play.

14. WebCT Considerations As to file size, if a professor has a lot of files that use a lot of memory, there are other solutions such as a streaming server and the CD-ROM tool. If a professor is uploading files that are too big to be practical for the students, then there is no real point. Files need to be reasonable sizes to function over the web without making people wait minutes and sometimes hours.

15. WebCT Considerations So, to distill this down to the shortest possible answer: Use any file type; make sure students have the correct plug-in; and keep file sizes as small as possible. Students can get information on how to download and install plug-ins by visiting the “Getting Started” learning module maintained by the ITC: www.itc.csmd.edu/gettingstarted

16. File Types

17. Summary Multimedia is any combination of text, graphic art, sound, animation, and video delivered by computer or other electronic means. The goal of using multimedia is to enhance the thought and action centers of people’s minds. When properly woven, multimedia can improve information retention. There are two primary multimedia delivery methods – CD-ROM and DVD or WWW. Use any file type; make sure students have the correct plug-in; and keep file sizes as small as possible.

18. Multimedia: Making It Work You have completed this module, please participate in the Module Discussion. Introduction to Multimedia