Educational Computing CIS 204 Summer 2008 David Goldschmidt, Ph.D. Computer Science The College of Saint Rose

Application Software Five categories of application software:

Multimedia Multimedia integrates text, graphics, audio, video, and other interactive elements into an application

Digital Media Digital Media is any technology that allows users to create new forms of interaction, expression, communication, and entertainment in a digital format

Text Basic building block of multimedia applications and Web sites is text Use different fonts, colors, styles, sizes (be consistent) Use links (not just Web pages)

Links Example of links within a software application: e.g. Natural Science Encyclopedia

Graphics Digital representation of non-text information Benefits: e.g. drawings, charts, photographs, diagrams, etc. Benefits: Illustrate concepts more vividly and clearly than text Captures the attention of visual learners Navigational elements (links)

Animation An animation is a graphic with multiple still images that presents the illusion of motion Not a video Check out http://www.gifworks.com for a free online animated GIF editor

Animation How an internal combustion engine works (from Microsoft’s Encarta Encyclopedia):

Audio Audio is any music, speech, or sound e.g. concerts, books, whalespeak

Video Video typically consists of photographic images played at speeds of 15-60 frames/second Provides the illusion of full motion Often directly tied with corresponding audio Video files require a lot of disk space Therefore, video is often compressed Further, rather than download video, just link to it

Digital Media References

Applications of Digital Media Aside from education, digital media applications appear in business, entertainment, etc. We can also use these applications in education

Business Applications Digital media applications in business: Computer-Based Training (CBT) Reduce costly trainer time and scheduling problems Self-paced and personalized study Electronic references and electronic books

Business Applications Digital media applications in business: Interactive How-To Guides

Business Applications

Entertainment Applications Digital media applications in entertainment: Games Music Videos News etc.

Edutainment Applications Entertainment + Education = Edutainment

Edutainment Applications Many educational games on the Web pbskids.org

Edutainment Applications Many educational games on the Web highlightskids.com

K-12 Educational Software Integrated learning systems: www.classworks.com