Capitalize on the Unique Capabilities of the Web by Appropriately Using Multimedia, Hyperlinks, and Online Communication.
The Web offers a wide variety of resources that, when appropriately used, stimulate and enhance learning, including multimedia, hyperlinks, and online communication. While these are powerful tools, it is important to keep in mind that they are just that—tools, used to create effective, efficient learning.
Multimedia refers to the simultaneous use of text, sound, video (with or without sound), slideshow (with or without narration), images, animation, and more. Text font, color, and size can be varied to highlight key points. Although multimedia does not necessarily improve learning, it improves satisfaction with the learning experience.
18–21 Appropriate use of multimedia can enrich teaching but keep in mind the following four caveats.
First, it is easy to “overdo it.” There is a fine line between making a page interesting and making it too “busy.” Keep each element of the website focused on the educational objective. If it does not have a teaching purpose—remove it! Do not include multimedia just because it is available. Rather, choose the format (which may be just text) that will most effectively teach the principle. Changes in text format can enhance a page but they can also detract. Again, use restraint, focus on your objectives, and remember that multimedia
per se does not improve learning.
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Second, multimedia is no substitute for good instructional design. As Rosenberg says, “Multimedia can add value, but simply adding multimedia to a bad learning program won't improve it.”
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Third, keep in mind the issue of download speed. Learner satisfaction declines when downloads are slow,
24,25 suggesting that the advantages of multimedia are offset by slow speeds. This is less of a problem for users with high-speed access, but for users with a dial-up modem it becomes a significant issue. Large files—video, detailed graphics, animation, and even audio (if the connection is slow)—take longer to download. If a large multimedia object illustrates an important point it may be worth the inconvenience. Otherwise, reduce the file size (e.g., image resolution) or eliminate it altogether.
Fourth, pay attention to copyright law. “Fair use” laws that permit duplication for personal use do not, in general, allow reproduction on the Internet. This applies to both text and multimedia. Still, it may be cheaper to purchase a license to use high-quality material than to develop material in-house (but make sure the license extends to Web publication). See Hoffman's text
26 for a detailed discussion of U.S. copyright law as it pertains to the Internet, and consider consulting local experts.
Hyperlinks take the user from the current page to another site on the Internet. Target links might include a table on the same webpage, an illustration in the same website, an online clinical tool, or a journal article that discusses the topic in greater detail (see ). Hyperlinks can also open documents (word processor document, spreadsheet, etc.) to view, print, or save for reference or modification. Appropriate links enrich a website and enhance function, but too many links may detract.
Some potential uses of hyperlinks in an educational website.
Online communication is dominated by e-mail, but also includes online discussion boards, chat rooms, and whiteboards (supported by many courseware systems), and Internet-mediated audio and video conferencing. Most online communication is
asynchronous—with a delay from the time a message is sent to the time a response is returned. While at times such delays can be frustrating, asynchronous communication allows learners to communicate on their own schedule, and may actually increase learning by stimulating reflection and independent learning while composing a reply.
27–29 However, failure to address barriers (including uninteresting topics) may limit participation.
30Synchronous communication—ongoing “live” conversation—is very similar to face-to-face teaching. Collison et al. discuss effective strategies for online moderators.
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Prepare a Timeline; Plan for Up-front Time Investment.
Developing a quality educational website requires a large up-front investment of time. Once the site is complete maintenance will take less effort, and when spread over months or years the total investment (development time + ongoing teaching efforts) is cost effective. But if not anticipated, the initial time requirement may overwhelm developers and lead to a project's premature demise.
Prepare and follow a timeline.
31 Allow sufficient time to develop the content, create or find appropriate multimedia, develop active learning techniques, prepare evaluation instruments (write and validate questions), and pilot the site prior to full implementation. If you are forced to scale back the project remember that revisions to a website, including more complete implementations, are easily done down the road.