Chapter 6

Teaching with Multimedia and Hypermedia

In Chapter 6 we learn the difference between multimedia and hypermedia. Multimedia means to have “multiple media,” and hypermedia means “linked media,” and the terms have come to be used interchangeably. Multimedia products, already used in education, are predicted to have even greater impact in the future since they mirror the increased emphasis on visual media in the modern world. When reading this chapter I found something that came of interest to me. In the book, research finds that multimedia’s benefits center on its ability to offer students multiple channels through which to process information. Several studies have offered recommendations on designing and using multimedia products for instructional purposes. I just think that is interesting because I feel teachers should start using more of the technology that is available to help enhance the students learning on the content in which is being learned. The book also gives some good examples of commercial multimedia/hypermedia resources. These resources include instructional software (e.g. tutorials, drills, and simulations), interactive books and e-books, reference materials, and collections of development materials. Chapter 6 also talks about how educators use criteria under the following headings when selecting these materials: instructional planning and support, instructional design, content, interface design and navigation, and feedback and interactivity. Another topic that I liked when reading this chapter is when it talks about authoring with virtual reality and other immersion resources. These tools include full immersion environments, web-based VRML, 3-D software, geospatial technologies and Geographic Information Systems, and QuickTime VR. Using these integration strategies include imaging for virtual field trips or possibly 3-D models to illustrate how systems work. I think this chapter brings a lot of good information that educators could use in their classroom to help students get a better understanding of the content being learned.