KAPUSTKA, Marcin
Technical University of Zielona Gora, Ul. Podgorna 50, 65-001 Zielona Gora, POLAND, phone. +48 68 3254831 ext. 536, fax +48 68 3244733, M.Kapustka@pz.zgora.pl
Abstract: A term: multimedial is visible in almost all domains of our life. We can find it in Computer-Based Learning (CBL), multimedial training over the web, presentations, computers we use, new processor’s commands etc. What multimedia is and what are the advantages of using it? Well, multimedia is nothing more than richer way people communicate nowadays. This is the next step of the PC revolution similar to one made by progress of HTML languages or expand of email. This is not only interesting issue we heard somewhere, multimedia, email are tools we use in our everyday work and it would be even hard to imagine work without them. Why multimedia are expanding so fast? Because our appetite on being more spectacular and distinct in what we want to say is growing.
Usually while taking about multimedia we think of sound, animations, colours. Is there something more? Especially useful for business purposes? Well, there is one factor, maybe the most important for business – time.
Keywords: multimedia, business, HCI – Human-Computer Interaction, multimedial lessons, CBL-Computer-Based Learning
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”The major changes coming will be in the way people communicate with each other. The benefits and problems arising from this upcoming revolution will be much greater than those brought about by the PC revolution” |
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Bill Gates, ”The Road Ahead” |
Thanks to the multimedial techniques process of gathering information and learning is shorter. Use of computer’s and multimedial techniques improve ability of understanding because lector has an influence on student by variety of events like: possibility to see interesting topic in motion (animations), with additional tips (lector’s voice), with colour and interaction, use of drag & drop techniques to present topic and practice while learning etc.
Is the relationship between multimedia and business fruitful for both parties? I think, yes.
From business point of view we have cheap tools to develop courseware e.g. Authorware Interactive Studio for less than $4.000. This software allows us to create everything assigned to: authoring, graphics, web etc. This is a complete environment to make any kind of presentation. Things, which have to be added to software, are: people and the efficient way people design software.
From business point of view we have set of inquiries to be fulfilled before or while developing customers expectations, what are demands of market we make product for etc. In other words business forces us to be more concrete and consequent about destination of our work.
Leader of designers should be familiar not only with issues assigned to authoring, but also: public relations, marketing, management, demands and needs of destination market etc. The best situation is when leader has strong academic background and at least few years experience in teaching people. Why? Because today’s presentation is not only a simple presentation of one topic, is also a ‘statement’, point of view presented by company, message to customers. That is why people from public relations are needed – to convince customer he has purchased appropriate product, ‘one and only he needs’. People from marketing and management can make the process of designing more sufficient concerning time needed for the task to be completed.
Such connection between business and multimedia exists and is called: Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). As an example Alpeda course can be briefly described. The course is a set of tips on how to develop work on a project, questions to be answered before start of particular design steps etc. This course which is accessible via internet, helps designs to be more ordered, predict customers questions about product and presented topics.
As a commercial product, which appeared on the market “EVITA – Enhanced VHDL Interactive Tutorial with Applications” can be presented. This course was made by lecturers from Technical University for electronic market & engineers purposes. Most of designers have been teaching at the University for at least 5 years. The rest has smaller experience and part of them participated as students. Because of tutorial was supposed to teach people on how to use VHDL language to design chips – an academic background was as a basis of created module. Then authors were to asked questions like:
Then all the answers were gathered together and structure of module and workbook, layout of a page in module, steps of learning were based upon this.
According to the feedback from customers – they like to use it. They treat module as an hands-free help, workbook as an instant help (we do not need computer to learn about VHDL although because of lack of animations and interaction workbook is not sufficient to learn all issues assigned to the subject). Thanks to advantages of multimedial techniques like: animations, audio, interactivity students like to play with the module because it explains topics in a very patient way.
But authors and designers should be aware of something: multimedia as a richer way of communication does not mean that used in Computer-Based Learning will improve legibility of author’s message or help in teaching people. We still have to think about: how to make transmit of knowledge to students, how to divide one huge topic on smaller and how to present this. If there is an overload of knowledge during the process of learning time spend with the module is lost.
Position of multimedia is similar to the position of internet.
Question: Is it useful? does NOT exist. There are only questions like: How to use it sufficiently in our life, for our purposes?
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