Evaluation: Multimedia Technology, Teaching Technology That Makes a Difference
Authors: Mark Case and John Hnatow
Source: Mark Case, 110 Delaware Ave., Catasauqua, PA 18032, e-mail to casemar@fast.net
Cost: $25

This comprehensive, 56-page manual provides specific examples for creating multimedia lessons with Macintosh computers. It illustrates how to set up your equipment, explains the nuts and bolts of multimedia technology, and provides shortcuts and tips to enliven your classroom. Ideas on how to organize projects and incorporate technology into your classroom activities are emphasized. Examples include lessons created with the MediaMAX™ software program that works with the Mac's Hypercard program, how to link your VCR, laservideodisc player and large screen TV, using interactive CD-ROM encyclopedias and capturing video images. There are two levels of interaction for the lessons described in this packet, Low Level and Multimedia.. (They are often referred to in the literature as Level I and Level III.) Both of these terms refer to the level of interaction with the videodisc player and the computer by the student or the teacher.

Low Level: The student or teacher uses the videodisc player as a VCR or a slide projector. Access to slides or movies is by hand remote or by bar-code reader. The interaction may be in a group lecture or lab setting, or possibly in small groups, or by individuals reviewing missed information from a lecture or lab. No computer is available or necessary.

Multimedia: The computer is required. It is linked to the videodisc player to control all functions, and to provide for true student to videodisc and computer interactivity. The computer is used to choose frame numbers and chapters for tutorials and presentations. It helps to arrange custom lists of still frames, movies, graphics, sounds, and text for a "multimedia" slide projector presentation. It accesses visual data bases. It combines and prints bar-codes. It also creates buttons for stacks in Hypercard™. Students in groups or individually are expected to control, access, manipulate, create and design at this level. Their learning usually takes place in a non-linear fashion.

Lessons illustrate using multimedia for lecture support, lecture review, student observation and analysis, small group - collaborative learning, disc based quizzes, and individualized instruction. Evaluated by Rick Mondschein, Emmaus High School, 851 North St., Emmaus, PA 18049. e-mail to mondsric@fastnet