Profitable creative ideas can emerge from within virtually any phase of the instructional design and development process. However, the design of user interactions is perhaps where learners can most directly experience the benefits of such ideas. In this article, the authors discuss principles of learner interaction as found in the instructional…

Ayamel is a system developed by Brigham Young University (BYU) and the American Councils for International Education. "Ayamel" is a stylized name developed to stand for International Media Library, a new designation for the federally funded project that started out as the "Flagship Media Library." The project was funded by The…

Michael W. Allen, the Chairman and CEO of Allen Interactions, is an architect of interactive multimedia learning and is recognized for his many insights, inventions, and presentations. With over 50 years of experience in e-learning, both in academic and corporate settings, he is known for his role in creating Authorware and overseeing the work of…

This article reviews the multimedia instructional design literature based on cognitive load theory (CLT) in the context of foreign language learning. Multimedia are of particular importance in language learning materials because they incorporate text, image, and sound, thus offering an integrated learning experience of the four language skills…

Stavros Demetriadis is currently an Assistant Professor with the Department of Informatics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) in Greece. He also earned his Bachelor's degree in Physics and a Master Diploma in Electronic Physics from AUTh. He became interested in information and communications technologies when he was a high school…

With advanced technologies available, multimedia-based e-portfolios are replacing paper-based portfolios. For teaching and learning purposes, e-portfolios have been used at a growing number of education institutions. This article reviews four important issues regarding e-portfolio use in the field of education: benefits, adoption concerns,…

The Program of Systematic Evaluation (PSE), which began as an attempt to explore the instructional dimensions of multimedia, has evolved into the most comprehensive set of experimental multimedia studies exploring the varied dimensions of cognitive load theory as they relate to the design of effective and efficient visual learning environments for…

Digital storytelling involves the creation of short, personal narratives combining images, sounds, and text in a multimedia computer-based platform. In education, digital storytelling has been used to foster learning in formal and informal spaces worldwide. The authors offer a critical discussion of claims about digital storytelling's usefulness…

Begins by discussing what interactive multimedia (IMM) is, why it is used, and how it should be evaluated. A pragmatic approach to evaluation is advocated, and a framework for formative evaluation is proposed, which focuses on formative experimentation. The educational goals of IMM technology and methods of formative experimentation are detailed.…

Provides an update on the standards that are governing digital multimedia technology. Highlights include symmetrical multimedia standards that include a variety of compression and transmission schemes; asymmetrical multimedia standards that includes compressed digital motion video and still images; applications sharing; networks; and the Internet.…

Discusses multimedia design and the shift in models from computer-assisted instruction and audiovisual learning to multimedia environments and computer-based learning environments. Topics addressed include multimedia generations and architectures; changing trends in software development; object-oriented design; and the design of media systems.…

Compares the differences between the meanings of hypertext, hypermedia, and multimedia and discusses the uses of each term. Suggests how the terms and the relationships between them should be described and provides a summary of functional and semantic definitions found in the literature. (AEF)

Describes the Central Media Resource System (CMRS), a method that allows multimedia instruction to large groups of students. Highlights include the information infrastructure, including fiber optics and coaxial cable; use of the CMRS in the classroom and in the media resource center; and future possibilities, including local and wide area…

Defines multimedia and proposes a framework that classifies communications technologies by bandwidth (the amount and kind of data a technology is capable of storing, transmitting, or displaying) and applications. An introduction to the articles contained in this special issue on multimedia is provided, and some crucial concepts are highlighted. A…

Presents a matrix of skills necessary for multimedia development. Skills are identified in business, artistic, and technical areas. These skills are then applied to the following reasons for multimedia use: to condense time and material; to effect rapid skills transfer; and to manage feedback and evaluation. (MES)