M u l t i m e d i a

 

Types of Multimedia

 

-Linear Multimedia

Linear multimedia is limited to advancing forward to the next screen or moving back to the previous page.

The user has limited control over access to information. There is only a fixed path that presentation can follow. This type of Multimedia is also known as passive multimedia.

Linear of passive multimedia is suited for presentations and demonstrations that do not require the user’s constant interaction.

Examples: Powerpoint, Slideshow of photographs

 

-Interactive Multimedia

Interactive multimedia is a revolutionary form of information technology.

It integrates various and multiple media, content and format, digitally stored, applied and adapted, with which the user can interact.

Interactive elements can include:

Voice command, mouse manipulation, text entry, touch screen, video capture, or live presentations.

Examples: Educational museum kiosk with touch screen navigation.

 

-Hypermedia

Hypermedia is the most recent form of Multimedia.

With hypermedia, you can look at a screen of information and if there is a topic or word you want more information about, click it with the mouse and you have the information.

These words or phrases are highlighted so they stand out from the normal text.

Example: The world wide web

 

Elements of Multimedia

PEOPLE MEDIA

It is consist of men, women, or even children that widely influence the people by reaching them through different means.

They are the sources of information, and are responsible in disseminating those information.

People media may also be defined as the utilization of people credible in their respective fields to talk about their expertise and help the students learn from people with firsthand experiences on a particular field or topic.

 

AUDIO MEDIA

It is the delivery of certain messages through the means of sound.

 

VISUAL MEDIA

These are sources of data or information in the form of visual representations. These may be abstractions, analogues, rough illustrations, or digital reproductions of the objects the data pertains to; as such they generally require the interpretation of the data gatherer.

 

MOTION MEDIA

These are integrated sound-and-sight kinetic media.

 

TEXT MEDIA

These are speeches or images rendered in human-readable sequence of alphanumeric characters that communicate to people.

 

MANIPULATIVES

These are items or tools used to aid in hands-on learning. They are models in which learners can manipulate to gain understanding and/or mastery of a concept.

 

 

The advantages and disadvantages of multimedia

 

There are a couple of advantages and disadvantages to using multimedia incommunication. I’m only going to a list a few important ones below. If you are interested to know more, visit one of the given websites by just following the links.

 

Advantages:

 

•It is very user-friendly. It doesn’t take much energy out of the user, in the sense that you can sit and watch the presentation, you can read the text and hear the audio.

•It is multi sensorial. It uses a lot of the user’s senses while making use of multimedia, for example hearing, seeing and talking.

•It is integrated and interactive. All the different mediums are integrated through the digitisation process. Interactivity is heightened by the possibility of easy feedback.

•It is flexible.Being digital, this media can easily be changed to fit different situations and audiences.

•It can be used for a wide variety of audiences, ranging from one person to a whole group.

 

Disadvantages:

 

•Information overload. Because it is so easy to use, it can contain too much information at once.

•It takes time to compile. Even though it is flexible, it takes time to put the original draft together.

•It can be expensive. As mentioned in one of my previous posts, multimedia makes use of a wide range of resources, which can cost you a large amount of money.

•Too much makes it unpractical. Large files like video and audio has an effect of the time it takes for your presentation to load. Adding too much can mean that you have to use a larger computer to store the files.

•In case you want to upload it onto the Internet, there are a few factors to keep in mind, for example bandwidth and the user’s abilities.

 

Applications of Multimedia

 

Multimedia finds its application in various areas including, but not limited to, advertisements,art, education, entertainment, engineering, medicine, mathematics, business, scientific research and spatial temporal applications.

 

Examples of multimedia in education

 

 

Video games

 

•Combine 2 things: learning and a student’s enjoyment of games into one activity

•Motivate students to take an active role in their personal learning

•Enhances a students technological literacy skills

•Example of popular education game for young learners: jumpstart.com

 

 

Multimedia authoring tools

 

•Allows students to create multimedia applications

•Allows students to create interactive presentations or projects by linking together illustrations, text or music

•Example: media blender

•Media blender is a cross platform application developed by Tech4learning for students and educators

•Example of media blender project – fall 2008

 

 

E-learning

 

•The medium of learning is centered around digital technologies

•Many e-learning environments consists of e-portfolios, virtual classrooms and multimedia applications and software tools

•Can be combined with face to face delivery and classroom integration