Interactive Multimedia Computer Systems

by Eileen E. Schroeder

November 1991

Eric Document Reproduction Service No. ED340771

Definition

The merging of various types of media with the computer has presented the field of education with a hybrid technology called interactive multimedia. This technology utilizes new developments in data storage, ever increasing computer speeds and capabilities, and sophisticated software tools to allow a learner to move through a rich multimedia resource base in a way that fits his/her own learning needs and style.

Interactive multimedia can be defined as "the integration of text, audio, graphics, still image and moving pictures into a single, computer-controlled multimedia product" (McCarthy, 1989, p. 26). Most current definitions describe a powerful computer connected to a variety of other equipment: videodisc players, compact'. disc players, scanners, music-synthesizers, high resolution monitors etc. The workstation of the not-too-distant future will have all the multimedia effects-text, audio, graphics, images, sound, motion digitized or converted into a code that the computer can store and manipulate.

Some equate hypermedia with interactive multimedia, and here the terms will be used synonymously. Hypermedia is the software framework for representing multimedia effects; in a non-linear fashion, allowing user annotation, and providing navigational systems. Interactive multimedia refers to the interactive audiovisual aspect of hypermedia systems. The information is stored in nodes (concepts) and connected by links (associations). Nodes and links are either built into the system or created by the learner as he/she traverses the database. Ambron (1986) sees computer-based multi-media learning stations allowing users to "browse, annotate, link, and elaborate on information in a rich, nonlinear, multimedia data base...exploring and integrating vast libraries of text, audio, and video information" (p.7).

Components

Interactive multimedia systems consist of several components: (I) the information or data system; (2) the software for accessing the information; (3) the hardware or technology; and (4) the communications system needed to connect all these parts.

The information or data system (i.e., the contents of the multi-media database) can be any type of text, audio, or visual images. Currently, optical storage methods such as laser videodisc and compact disc are used largely for storage of audio and images (both still and motion), while traditional magnetic storage devices are used for text, graphics, animation, still images, and audio. With the growing ability to reduce the storage space needed for motion and full color still images, and with the decreasing cost of memory, the trend is toward more storage in optical formats. Digital Video Interactive (DVI) is a developing technology that holds promise in this area. By allowing the compression and decompression of digitized images, it will increase the number of images that can be stored on a compact disc and improve the capacity of that medium to store motion video.

The software component consists of generic programs such as Hypercard, ToolBook, Linkway, Quest, Guide, and Notecards. These programs index, provide access to, and allow navigation through the text, visuals, and audio in the multimedia database. This component usually includes video and audio indexing and control software, an index, a map of everything stored, linkages to navigate through the database, and a way to build new links.

The hardware component currently consists of a variety of discrete pieces of equipment which may include a CD-ROM player a videodisc player, a voice synthesizer, an audio digitizer, a video digitizer, and a digital scanner all connected to a sing]e computer system. The communications system consists of local and non-local networks connecting the hardware and multimedia databases which may be stored in one place or scattered across locations.

Advantages

Hypermedia provides many advantages to the learner, especially through its abilities to adapt to individual differences and to allow the learner to control the path of his/her study. The learner can either be directed or wander through information. The system can provide customized interfaces for each user with varying levels of guidance. Some studies have shown that a learner-controlled environment can be more effective than a program that adapts automatically to learner differences (Alfred & Locatis, 1988).

By providing information in a variety of modalities, providing a context for the information, and allowing multiple paths through this knowledge, the system allows the learner to select information in the format or formats best suited to his/her learning style ability level, and information needs through one unified system of access. All of this will increase the learner's engagement with the learning situation as he/she elaborates on current knowledge. A hypermedia system can also be used in cooperative learning or group composition with a group of users contributing to a common database of information.

Problems

There are also several problems with hypermedia as it is currently

conceived. Hypermedia systems can be both confusing and disorienting, especially for the less able student. One major problem is that current user interfaces are not "friendly" enough for the average user and too inconsistent across systems. Disorientation and distraction can be caused by jumping around throughout the database, the sheer quantity of data. and the lack of information on database size and extent. Some systems may be sacrificing depth of learning for breadth.

Finally, there is still a technological lag between the hardware and software currently available and what is needed for efficient, effective Systems. Further development is needed in optical and other storage methods and in equipment interaction.

Examples

Ambron & Hooper (1988, 1990) provide numerous examples of experiments with hypermedia. Most of the projects described in the earlier book are employed in a research context. The later book discusses applications in public schools and higher education. A few of the numerous examples documented elsewhere in the literature include:

Kanji City (Ashworth & Stelovsky, 1989): a program for teaching

Japanese through trial and error exploration of a real life environment.

Zarabanda Notebook (Underwood, 1988): a language program based on a Spanish soap opera

Palenque (Wilson, 1987): a research prototype using DVI that allows learners to explore Mayan ruins in the Yucatan.

Shakespeare Project (Frielander, 1989): a program used to study various productions of Shakespeare plays.

Intermedia (Yankelovich. 1986): a hypermedia system with tools for text processing. graphics editing, timeline editing, scanned image viewing, and 3D applications that can be used for a variety of subjects.

The Future

Numerous design issues need resolving: (I) what authoring principles and methods work: (2) how misconceptions can be corrected and feedback provided: (3) how assignments can be created: (4) how the needed self-regulation can be developed in learner; (5) how both the materials and learning can be evaluated: (6) how links can be created and managed; (7) how assistance can be provided: and (8) how the learner can be prevented from feeling lost (Marchionini. 1988). Research and development are needed for more powerful searching techniques. better graphic structure searching and friendlier user interfaces.

This technology is just beginning to develop. Watch for rapid developments as storage mediums which allow a reduction in the required storage space become more fully implemented: as optical storage formats gain wider acceptance; and as software programs for hypermedia become commonly accepted for accessing databases of visual and audio images. As the technology develops even further, the interactive multimedia computer system will move from a mixture of digitized storage formats utilizing various pieces of equipment to a fully digitized storage format contained on one system.

References

Allred, K.F., & Locatis. C. (1988). Research. instructional design. and new technology. Journal of lnstructional development. 1(1). 2-5. ERIC number El 380492.

Ambron, 5(1986). New visions of reality: Multimedia and education. Learning Tomorrow: Journal of (he Apple Education Advisory Council 3,5-13. ERIC number ED 302 180.

Ambron, S., & Hooper, K. (Eds.) (1988). Interactive multimedia Visions of multimedia for developers. educator. Information providers. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press.

Ambron, S., & Hooper, K. (Eds.) (1990). Learning with interactive multimedia: Developing and using multimedia tools'. in education Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press.

Ashworth., & Stelovsky, 3(1989, June). Kanji City: An exploration of hypermedia applications for CALL. CALICO Journal. 6(4), 27 31) ERIC number El 392 282.

Friedlander, L. (10.89, July). Moving images into the classroom: Multimedia in higher education. Laserdisk Professional. 2(4). 33 3~ ERIC number EJ 396860.

Marchionini, G. (1988, Nov.). Hypermedia and learning: Freedom and chaos. Educational Technology. 28(11), 8.12. ERIC Number El 384 406.

McCarthy, R. (1989, June). Multimedia: what the excitement's all about. Electronic Learning, 8(3), 26-31. ERIC number EJ 395 537

Paske, R. (1990). Hypermedia: A brief history and progress report'. T.H.E. Journal, 18(1), 53-56.

Underwood. 3. (1988). Language learning and "hypermedia." ADFL Bulletin, 19(3), 13-1 7. ERIC number El 369 045.

Van Horn, R. (1991). Advanced technology in education. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Vandergrift, K.E. (1988, Nov.). Hypermedia: Breaking the tyranny of the text. School Library Journal. 35(3), 30-35. ERIC number EJ 384 332.

Wilson, K.S. (1 987). The Palenque optical disc prototype: Design of multimedia experiences for education and entertainment in a non-traditional learning context. (Technical Report No. 44). New York: Bank Street College of Education, Center for Children and Technology

ERIC number ED 319 377.

Yankelovich, N. (1986). Intermedia A System for linking multimedia documents. (IRIS Technical Report 86-2). Providence, RI: Brown University. Institute for Research in Information and Scholarship. ERIC number ED 296735.