Interactive multimedia in education

Introduction

Multimedia is a common word in everyday life, used for numerous things

Professional multimedia differs significantly from common meaning

The presentation tries to explain the main differences

Basic meaning of multimedia

Combining the possible mediums for reaching a given objective more efficiently Text Pictures Music Sound effects Movies Animation Etc.

Interactivity

Over the usage of different mediums interactivity becomes the most important part of multimedia

Interactivity basically means two-way com-

munication between the user and the computer User can control the processes, and can react

immediately to any output Since GUI’s are commonly used this

meaning of interactivity in the multimedia aspect is out-of-date

Levels of interactivity

As users get used to parallel appearing mediums, something more must be done to keep their attention

It is even more important if we are talking about Students as users Education as the objective

2nd level of interactivity

Let’s call the possibility of controlling the computer in real-time the 1st level

How could we inspire students and raise their motivation for the subject?

2nd level of interactivity means activating the user Basic games, activities, tests which relate to the

subject keep the user’s continuous attention The more complex the better!

3rd level of interactivity

Users can navigate the multimedia, this is a basic principle of interactivity

But extreme freedom is disadvantageous sometimes We shouldn't allow students to decide freely

which part they are willing to learn and which they aren't

Predefined ways across the multimedia often called „Guides” solve this problem Personalizing these ways is one of the most

challenging tasks in multimedia development

Half way

The basic, 2nd and 3rd levels are commonly used and can be called basic requirement for a modern multimedia product

But if we are talking about multimedia in education more advanced levels of interactivity should be included!

So from now on, we are talking about multimedia in education only!

4th level of interactivity

Students are very different Traditional, class-based scholar system’s

biggest disadvantage is the obligation to find the average student, who is not existent

On statistical basis a multimedia program can explore the student’s skills, and the preprogrammed algorithm is able to personalize the forthcoming levels for the user’s needs

5th level of interactivity

A coursebook can’t offer personalized themes for students with different interest

If the subject permits, multimedia can display different themes for every exercise according to the students range of interest Girls – boys Younger – older students Etc.

6th level of interactivity

Everything can be taught in different ways There is always one method which is the most

efficient for the given student Monitoring the user’s behavior and results

multimedia can decide which group of methods is the most efficient for the student

This feature can still be based on algorithms, but including sixth level of interactivity will change dramatically the way the multimedia must be designed and programmed

And that’s all?

Achieving the mentioned levels is much more than the commonly used multimedia software of today are offering in the education market

But if we are once talking about levels of multimedia and interactivity…

Why would we exclude the future?

7th level of interactivity

Let’s forget everything that we’re thinking about education!

Do you have a child or friend playing computer games day and night?

What is the motivation of those games? How can they keep the attention of the players for hours, days, months?

Could we include in such a game all the staff we want to teach in a subject?

7th level of interactivity continued

Just think a little, how could influence teaching English… A 3D (simulation based) RPG* game Where the user should play in a virtual world Executing exercises like playing games But having to use language skills

Remembering words, using grammar Initiating dialogs Explaining what he wants, reaching the target Etc.

* RPG – role playing game

8th level of interactivity

Intelligently behaving multimedia can be programmed on algorithmical basis

But algorithms have their limits For a human-like conversation (voice-recognition and

response) using artificial intelligence is inevitable Artificial intelligence will develop every segment of IT,

but the influence on the educational multimedia will be probably the most important among all

The next ten years will bring artificial intelligence to everyday use

Reality

The 7th and 8th levels are visions of a nice future, when such words like school, teacher, learn will be completely redefined

But algorithm based interactivity as far as the 6th level should and can be used, if we want to create an up-to-date and efficient multimedia product!

Thank you