Computer Multimedia for Classroom Teaching and Learning

Definitions of Multimedia ‘Multimedia is the exciting combination of computer hardware and software that allows you to integrate video, animation, audio, graphics, and text resources to develop effective presentations on an affordable desktop computer.’ (Fenrich, 1997).

‘Multimedia is characterized by the presence of text, pictures, sound, animation and video; some or all of which are organized into some coherent program.’ (Phillips, 1997).

‘Multimedia combines five basic types of media into the learning environment: text, video, sound, graphics and animation, thus providing a powerful new tool for education.’ (Asthana, 2012)

Elements of Computer Multimedia

Text Text has the most impact on the quality of the multimedia interaction. Text provides the important information. Text acts as the keystone tying all of the other media elements together.

Sound Sound is used to provide emphasis or highlight a transition from one page to another Sound enables teachers to present lots of information at once.eg a complex image paired with a spoken explanation Sound used creatively, becomes a stimulus to the imagination; used inappropriately it becomes a hindrance or an annoyance.

Video Visualization capabilities of video can be immediate and powerful. The representational qualities of video help in placing a theoretical concept into context. Eg for highly complex scenarios that are difficult to explain using only text, diagrams or images. Video has the dramatic ability to elicit an emotional response from an individual. Such a reaction can provide a strong motivational incentive to choose and persist in a task

Video can stimulate interest if it is relevant to the rest of the information on the page, and is not ‘overdone’. Video can be used to give examples of phenomena or issues referred to in the text. Video is appropriate to convey information about environments that can be either dangerous or too costly to consider, or recreate, in real life. For example: video images used to demonstrate particular chemical reactions without exposing students to highly volatile chemicals, or medical education, where real-life situations can be better understood via video.

Example Video

Animation Video is usually taken from life, whereas animations are based on drawings. Animations are primarily used to demonstrate an idea or illustrate a concept Animation can be used to show changes in state over time, or to present information slowly to students so they have time to assimilate it in smaller chunks.

Graphics These can be photographs, drawings, graphs from a spreadsheet, pictures from CD-ROM, or something pulled from the Internet. With a scanner, hand-drawn work can be included. Images make use of a massive range of cortical skills: colour, form, line, dimension, texture, visual rhythm, and especially imagination.

Features of Computer Multimedia Enhance text only presentations by adding interesting sounds and compelling visuals Engage a variety of learning modalities (visual, auditory and possibly kinesthetic) which can appeal to various learner styles simultaneously Allow development of more engaging, persuasive presentations

Types of Multimedia Programs 1) Instructional multimedia products e.g. British Encyclopedia 2) Video production and editing packages e.g., MS Video Maker 3) Multimedia authoring packages e.g., MS PowerPoint,

Some specific uses of multimedia Drill and practice to master basic skills Creating tutorials and research presentations. Understanding abstract mathematics and science concepts Simulation in science and mathematics Problem solving Individualized and cooperative learning Acquisition of computer skills for general purposes

Benefits to Learners Work at own pace and control their learning path Learn from an infinitely patient tutor Engages students into design and organization process Motivates students. Allows students to get information easily Benefits audio/visual learners. Appealing and manageable to students with special needs and at-risk students

Benefits to Teachers· Saves time for more challenging topics Replaces ineffective learning activities Increases student contact time for discussion Enables teachers to turn teacher-centred lessons into student-centered. Provides teachers with more opportunities to be facilitator. Easily adaptable to all learning levels.

Disadvantages of Multimedia Multimedia packages require good quality computers. It may not be accessible to a large section of its intended users if they do not have access to multimedia-capable machines Development costs in multimedia are very high and the process of developing effective multimedia takes time. The user must possess a minimum level of computer literacy in order to exploit the capabilities of this medium for learning

There is need for training of the educator who is unfamiliar with the production and design of multimedia.

Thank you for listening Siyabonga Tinotenda Gracias