Learner-centered

Learner-centered

Interactive multimedia (IMM) is always learner-centered. In IMM the learner controls the experience of reading the material by being able to select among multiple choices, choosing unique paths and select the sequence through the material. One of the key features of IMM is the ability to navigate through material in whatever ways are most meaningful for individual user. Learners can go through the material as per their own space and pace. Learners have the freedom to spend time on one page as long as they want. They can afford to go to home page whenever they want to. IMM encourages learners to reflect on what they are learning and how they are learning it. IMM motivates learners by giving them some control over learning processes.

Learners have the freedom to choose any option in their interest.

Image source:

http://www.mkcl.org/#/home

Appropriate Color Combination and Typography

While creating IMM packages one should always possess a creative mind. This creativity assists in using appropriate color combination and typography. The color combination should enhance the aesthetic appeal and effectiveness of one's IMM package. A good typography affects the learner's attention. In order to make an IMM package more meaningful and noteworthy, it is also essential that the colors and fonts create a specific mood or impact for the learners.

Various color combinations are used for various learners. While creating an IMM package, one should always keep their audience in mind when selecting colors and fonts. Depending on whom to address, children, adults or employees, one’s choice should always be appropriate. Different approaches, such as culture, playfulness, professionalism, etc. are conveyed by different colors and fonts.

For starters, one should keep in mind never to use more than three different fonts, as it looks unprofessional. As a matter of fact, two fonts are enough; one for headings, and one for content. Also, never mix two different fonts of the same type, i.e. two different serif fonts or two different sans-serif fonts.

An appropriate color combination can transform any subject matter into a successful IMM package. Thanks to the fact that the human brain has the power to convert colors into emotions and moods.

Here are some particular colors one can use while creating an IMM package;

Red - When one wants to attract learner’s attention to important information or boost motivation.

Orange - If one is dealing with a dull or complicated content, orange color will make it seem more relatable and playful.

Yellow - Helps boost memory and stimulate mental function.

Blue - Helps transform a complex subject into an easy one, it helps to make the content seem less confusing and complicated.

Green - Helps the learners calm down if they are nervous.

Purple - Encourages learners to have fun and get excited about the content.

Brown - Adds a sense of seriousness and a neutral color that also helps to balance out the overall mood.

Some points to avoid when creating an IMM package;

Underline: signifies hyperlink

Italics: difficult to read

ALL CAPS: seems like one is shouting.

Mid - Sentence Capitalization: slows down reading

Two spaces in a sentence: one space is correct.

Images source :

MKCL

Interactive Multimedia: Animation

Animation

Animation in education makes the teaching learning process more interactive, interesting and
helps to engage learners. It makes the learning easy, understandable and also saving time.

Animation will make the object or situation looks real on the screen.

Animation can be create by using various objects, images, shadow, hand movement, movement
of the pictures, puppets etc.

Earlier there was 2D animation, but now a days even by using mobile or tablets one can create
animation effect on images. Using animation at appropriate time in the video is also important.
Adding animation effect to some small stages like move forward, go next, turn page, next slides
etc. will also help learner to go forward with the interactive multimedia package.

Animation can be used in the beginning to create effective beginning of the package, and
in between animation will bring life to the content and at the end of the will give last long effect
in learners mind.

In this image above there is a beautiful animation created for campfire. The flames of the fire
are moving. Even the shades of colours are appropriate. Even smiley effects to the each
feedback will motivate learner towards learner. That arrow sign is blinking will show learner
the direction to go.

In this image in entire screen there is an animation for clouds, water streams, river are
adding more clarity to the learner about how exactly Rain will happen.
Even specified instructions at each steps will lead learner towards the content and
engaging learner in learning process.

Sometime using real object behind and using creative outline around object will also give
effect of an animation. Learner will get real time effect while watching this kind of effects.
Even creating smiley faces  and adding some animation effects will make the multimedia
package more interactive to the learner.

In the screenshot above the animation first shows with the cartoon character  who come out of
from the hut and then one huge stone appear which look like real stone on screen.
This kind of effects can be created by 3D effects.  Even there is an instruction for clicking at the
stone will redirect the student to see detail related stone and moving stone will increase learners
interest towards the
content.

So now using multimedia packages is must for making teaching learning process more interesting
and effective.

Resources: All the images above is copyrighted to the Department of Educational Technology, Juhu, Mumbai. 

Age appropriate package; engaging learners

        The nature of any Interactive Multimedia package depends on the age and background of the learners, generally the IMM packages are made considering specific target groups, which makes the learning process easy.

       If the target group is STD V students than it is likely that the students of STD II will find the IMM package too difficult and lose interest whereas, STD IX students would find the IMM package too easy and lose interest.

       Visual aspects such as; appealing colours, interactive language, characters used, names given to the characters, attire in which characters are presented, all these aspects are considered in the context of the age of the learners.

       Most of the IMM packages which target primary school students, even the voice-over is given by the children which enables young learners to relate to it. The package would not have a greater impact if the voice-over is given by adults.

       Examples given are also synced with the age of the learners. For example, standard 2^nd learners will find it difficult to understand about the nuclear energy project or the Nobel prize, such examples will be appropriate for the learners of standard 8^th and above.

        Similarly, standard 9^th students will find it childish to learn through the examples of cats playing and the number of chocolates, such examples will be more appropriate for the learners of primary school.       

       Most of the IMM packages are focused towards changing the original structure of the curriculum and presenting it in some interesting form, for example, content can be converted into a story which can be narrated or given a rhythm and recited. this approach can be used for learners of all age groups, but depending on the age of the learners the complexity of the package will differ.

       IMM packages are made considering the age of the target learners.

Thus, if these two packages are used interchangeably for the target learners they will not make the desired impact.

Features of IMM; Images and Voice-over

Image in any IMM package is a crucial part. It can motivate learners to study the topic further. In this IMM package, different images are used according to the topics. The images are absolutely relevant and appropriate to the age of the learners. Especially, I must mention that not only content images are topic related, but also it matches with the whole theme in the background. In addition to that, emoticons are properly used while evaluation. So that learners will never be deviated from the main topic. It will always remind them about the connection of the topic.

Like, in the above image, according to topic's name, 'Earth's Rotation', here, we can see that the background image is completely relevant to the topic. The image always convey a visualizing meaning which has the power to understand the meaning of the content more than the written words. Again, it enhances visual senses which helps in increasing imagination and they can easily connect with the content. The quality of the images are undoubtedly high resolution and clear, which creates the theme more appealing to the learners. The image has no haziness, so that the learners can easily label the points. Moreover, they can draw images by themselves after watching the graphics in the package (especially science images which will fulfill their practical purpose). Like, from this image, learners can easily draw different parts of hibiscus flower. Moreover, different emoticons and directional icon images are used here which are helpful to grab the attention of the learners and as a result, the lesson becomes easily accessed by the learners. The directional icon helps the learner to go to the next chapter or next level of the topic. The image in the below portrays this.

The voiceover is so clear that learner can easily understand it. It must be mentioned that, the audio and content are professionally synchronized with each other with appealing animation. The audio quality is so good and precise that the audio is self-sufficient to make the learners understand the topic. It is a proper integration of a high quality tone and relevant content.

So, clear voice over and relevant images make this IMM package really a magnetic piece.

Features of Interactive Multimedia (IMM): Predefined Objectives and Small chunks of content

Interactive Multimedia is computerized delivery of content using combined media eg. text, sound, video, graphics and animation. IMM packages have at least 3 or more of these media blended meaningfully. There are many features of IMM which makes it different and more effective than many of the other learning resources. Following are two of the features:

1. Predefined Objectives
Learners are more motivated and focused when they know their goal of learning. Therefore appropriate objectives should be created and told to learners. Similarly in IMM objectives is mentioned in the beginning. As learners are on their own  they want motivation and guidance to go through and learn from these resources. Objectives mentioned in beginning of the resource is essential as it will motivate learners and also after performing or completing their objectives they will know they have achieved their goal. As you can see in the following images, the objectives are stated on the screen. It is for higher education learners. Older learners are more capable of taking responsibility of their learning therefore objectives can be stated to them simply.

Image 1.1 

For younger learners simply stating objective might not work, similarly as for older learners. Maybe for getting younger learners started and to tell them what they will be doing or achieving different technique or information can be presented in different style. As you can read in the following image the character of water drop asks learners if they want to know about water. Learners will know what they will be learning and what to expect.

Image 1.2

2. Small chunks of content

In IMM content is presented in small chunks. IMM is computer instructed and self learning resource, learners go through the package and learn on their own. If too much of information is presented together this may overwhelm them and they get demotivated to learn. To keep the individual learner motivated and making learning easy for them, content is chunked in small parts meaningfully and presented. These small chunks are planned and connected to each other so that learner after learning each chunk can understand the whole lesson.

Image 2.1

As seen in the following images each screen presents a small chunk of information, which is supported by other media like graphics, audio and animation.

Image 2.2

 Information presented in these screens is small and comprehensive, aided by other media and after each chunk there can be a small activity based on the same chunk. Many times these chunks are facts in form of texts. Sometimes these chunks of information can be in the form only audio supported by an image and animation. As you can see in the following image the image of a flower is shown and then its parts are explained by background audio.  

  

Image 2.3

These were the two of the features of IMM, there are other features which makes it more effective.

 

Features of IMM: Title and Index slide 

The first thing a learner views in his/ her Interactive Multimedia package is the title and index slide of the package. Below are a few screenshots taken from few IMM packages. As we can see the title slide background depicts exactly the topic which will be covered in the package.

 

Image 1

In image 1 the topic is ‘Wind and weather’ which has been portrayed very well in the title slide.  

In most of the packages the title slide, and the index slide are the same. However, in few of them where both are not together the title slide appears as such

Image 2

Look at the screen shot below. The package was about various occupations. They have creatively depicted the occupations which they wanted to teach their learners through images associated with the respective occupation. Eg- scissors and measuring tape depicts a tailor, a watering can depicts a gardener and so on.  

Image 3

 Here are few other examples of the title slide and index slide

Image 4

image 5 

Image  6

Each screenshot as shown above, truly depicts  the essence of the topic while also making it look attractive which plays a major role in making the package look interesting in the learner’s eye.