Multimedia: The Emerging Technology

Mark Montanus, GCC
The very nature of the computer beast is CHANGE. Trying to pin down the precise definition of multimedia in the midst of this change may be impossible and, perhaps, not really necessary. Why? By the time the definition is complete, it will have changed. The general idea of connecting a variety of media devices to a computer for centralized control and presentation may suffice as the definition. Not only must we understand what it is, we must also have a good understanding of what it will become. Without this understanding, we will not be able to begin developing the constants. Many things will change, some will not.

The Constants

There must be one place on each campus where a faculty or staff member can bring the germ of an idea for development. This place, staffed with a very special breed of people, must support our innovators in every conceivable manner. It must assess the needs, locate the funding, provide the hardware and software, provide a staff of instructional and graphic designers, object oriented programmers, editors, project managers, clerks, etc. Such centers can be funded from a variety of sources, including grants, institutional funds, business partners, and entrepreneurial efforts. We are no longer creating small pieces of useful instructional materials. We are creating new and innovative learning systems and, unless supported properly, will not allow us to unleash the great power of the multimedia.

Another constant is an authoring language of which there are several. These are new and powerful languages, and while they differ, are similar in that each becomes the centralized controlling medium of the multimedia for the development team. All are based upon powerful graphic interfaces that allow people to create wonderful graphics that enhance learning. Object-oriented programming is becoming more powerful, yet easier to use. The real beauty lies in the great power to create a myriad of learning strategies that will make learning exciting. Some of the more familiar authoring programs are AuthorWare, Toolbook, Hypercard, SuperCard, and CourseBuilder. The goal is to get started with any one of these object oriented programs to create good graphics, and new learning strategies enabled by any of these great software programs. The last constant has to do with breaking down the arbitrary walls that exist between the disciplines. Whether we like it or not, computers are forcing us to look to interdisciplinary solutions in our teaching. Computers do not understand academic boundaries. We have discovered at GCC that graphic software is used by drafting, journalism, photography, art, business, English, and others. In many cases the student outcomes are very similar. The shared development of learning materials and interdisciplinary teaching will become commonplace. Shared resources and ideas will not only enhance learning, it is the only way we can financially afford the technology.

Maricopa Center for Learning & Instruction (MCLI)
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