Technology Corner Multimedia & CAI

Multimedia Primers & Overviews. Hypertext and Flash tutorials covering the history of computers in education and training; the definition of interactive multimedia; educational uses of multimedia; designing, developing and distributing interactive multimedia; and evaluating multimedia packages. Includes a review of the literature on factors associated with the effectiveness of multimedia for learning. 8 links

Computer-Assisted Instruction. Differentiates among the traditional types of computer-based instruction, summarizes its advantages and disadvantages and its relationship to instructional technology. Describes medical school implementation of computer assisted learning. Provides an overview of the tools used to develop computer-based learning programs and criteria for selection of CAI/CBT software. 8 links

Multimedia Design & Development. Reviews learning theories, multimedia development processes, design principles, and software programs related to interactive multimedia design and production. Identifies the best mix of media to enhance communication and outlines the steps involved in developing multimedia, including the validation phase. Describes how to incorporate and distribute multimedia via the Web. Also addresses usability, design, feedback, navigation and interaction requirements. 13 links

General Multimedia Tutorial Collections. Provides tutorials on digital audio/video, animation, Web multimedia, image scanning & editing, flash, dreamweaver, fireworks, shockwave, CD-ROM burning, and editing audio and video and using SMIL. Addresses potential problems with bandwidth and format standards. 6 links

Macromedia Director, Flash & Authorware Tutorials. Provides access to tutorials, articles and documentation for all recent versions of Macromedia Authorware, Director, and Flash for both Windows and Mac systems. Includes an overview of multimedia production, using objects and timelines, basic animation, scripting, using and controlling external media; and scripting. 10 links

Bibliographic Resources on Multimedia and CAI. Provides dynamic searches of the NLM Medline database on computer assisted instruction, using multimedia in teaching, and teaching via computer simulation. Also includes a comprehensive bibliography on the assessment of multimedia technology in education from the University of North Carolina - Center for Instructional Technology. 4 links