In Module 5 of ETEC 565 (Spring 2009), the terms media and multimedia are used almost interchangeably, adding an element of ambiguity to what we choose to include in our “Multimedia Inventory”. Richard Mayer (2001) defines multimedia as “the presentation of material using both words and pictures” (p. 1). Pictures may be still or moving, and words may be print or audio. Kingsley & Boone (2008) define multimedia as “any system that combines two or multimedia-media-inventorymore media into a single product or presentation, such as a software program or a Web page.” Clearly, multimedia artefacts are those that combine multiple media objects into a single entity. As can be seen in my inventory (attached in Word 2007 and PDF formats), some multimedia entities can even combine other multimedia entities. I have chosen to separate those items that are simply media from those that are truly multimedia.
With a couple of days left to polish the mock Moodle course I’m creating for Lay Readers, I may still add some more media and multimedia files. The inventory is up-to-date as of today. I have to admit that I was surprised at just how many files I have included in the course, despite having completed only a small portion of the overall course.
At first blush, I have found that the main benefit of this inventory exercise has been to force myself to be meticulous about recording my (multi)media object sources. I have already begun to apply this exercise to my professional practice.
Multi/Media Inventory (Word 2007)
References
Kingsley, K., & Boone, R. (2008, December 1). Effects of Multimedia Software on Achievement of Middle School Students in an American History Class. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 41(2), 203-221. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. EJ826093) Retrieved July 26, 2009, from ERIC database.
Mayer, R (2001) Multimedia Learning, 9th ed. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
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