1.
What is Multimedia?
A Multimedia
Application is an Application which uses a collection of multiple
media sources e.g. text, graphics, images,
sound/audio, animation and/or video.
(E.g., Hypermedia can be
considered as one of the multimedia applications.)
What is Multimedia Technology?
Multimedia technology
refers to interactive, computer-based applications that allow people to
communicate ideas and information with digital and print elements.
Professionals in the field use computer software to develop and manage online
graphics and content. The work that media technology specialists produce is
used in various media, such as training programs, web pages, and news sites.
Important Facts About Multimedia
Technology
Median Salary (2014)
|
$63,630 (multimedia artists and animators)
|
Key Skills
|
Time management; organization; problem-solving; communication
|
Similar Occupations
|
Art directors; graphic designers; web developers
|
Job Outlook
|
6% (for multimedia artists and animators)
|
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics on Learn.org
2.
What is an interactive element?
Interactive elements,
available for Made to Order Templates, give your website visitors a way to click or view additional
information on your website. For example, more information may become available
the longer a visitor is on a page, or if a visitor clicks on a button they may
see an expanded menu. These elements consolidate your content, keep your design
clean and control how your audience consumes the information on your website.
3.
How to evaluate multimedia materials?
Evaluation of
multimedia materials can be done by using 2 types of evaluation, which
are Formative Evaluation and Summative
Evaluation.
(A)Formative
Evaluation
Formative evaluation
is done as a continuous process in the development of multimedia and even
before the development process actually starts. Decisions taken at the
beginning of the process of software development affect various aspects of the
software. Answers to questions like who, why, where, and how become the
guidelines for the development of the software. Depending upon the time and
resources, both quantitative and qualitative methods of feedback are utilized
in formative evaluation. No programme can fulfill all requirements of all
learners. In fact, if a single programme can provide all the information, and
answer all queries on a single topic, it should be considered successful. So,
every software developer must decide and delimit the scope of the software
beforehand. In other words, we have to spell out the objectives of the
programme. Some questions like the following ones need to be answered because
these will affect the content and the selection of technology:
(i) Who are the target
users of this software and what is the level of the target users?
(ii) What is the level
of computer familiarity expected of the learners?
(iii) What would be
the objective (in terms of content) to be covered by the programme?
(iv) How will the
programme be used?
a. as supplementary to
classroom teaching?
b. as independent
programme providing complete courseware?
Once decisions on the
above are made, the cognitive aspects of learning are to be considered. The
socio-cultural background of the target users will affect content selection and
treatment of the topic. In arranging the content, the learning habits of the
users would influence the decision about sequencing of information, quality of
information (through various media) provided through every screen, and
supplementary information to be provided through links. It is often mentioned
that no programme should aspire to be complete or self sufficient, but it
should lead the users to relevant information. The software developer should
provide relevant links and the content expert should word the text and place
other relevant media material in a manner that they raise more inquisitiveness
in the learners and they go for further search and self study.
(B) Summative
Evaluation
After the completion
of the development of the programme, the software is released for use. The
actual users, then, make suggestions and these suggestions form the basis of
summative evaluation. Summative evaluation is the end of the project
evaluation. Some programmes involve a number of teams to develop various
components of larger software, which finally integrate into the end product.
While working with Microsoft Office you must have used the numerous facilities
it offers. For example if you click on the Accessories it provides Calculator,
Games, etc. These must have been developed by different groups separately and
then finally joined to make a final product. Summative evaluation, as mentioned
earlier, should be conducted for each of the components and also for the final
product. As summative evaluation is targeted at the end-users, in educational
software a major focus of study is the software's . The teaching learning
objectives identified during the needs analysis become the base of summative
evaluation of academic software. Evaluation should keep the educational,
entertainment, ease of use or design features in mind while conducting
summative evaluation of these and then overall impact on learning. Suggestions
on the basis of summative evaluation may be for (i) short-term and (ii)
long-term changes in the programme. Short-term changes may be based on your own
observations and the feedback from the users and the long-term changes may be
made on the basis of the decisions of the curricular design and on the basis of
suggestions given by the development agencies and the organisations using your
software, if it is being used outside your institution.
·
References
Cemca. org (2016). Evaluation of
Multimedia. Achieved on 24 September 2017
from http://cemca.org.in/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Section9.pdf
Learn. org (2014). What is Multimedia
Technology? Achieved on 24 September
2017 from http://learn.org/articles/What_is_Multimedia_Technology.html
2017 from http://learn.org/articles/What_is_Multimedia_Technology.html
Marshall, D. (2001). What is Multimedia? Achieved
on 24 September 2017
from https://users.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave.Marshall/Multimedia/node10.html.
from https://users.cs.cf.ac.uk/Dave.Marshall/Multimedia/node10.html.
