A combination of multiple media such as visual imagery, text, video, sound, and animation that enhances the impact of a message is called multimedia. Multimedia is also defined as a class of computer-driven, interactive communication system that creates, stores, transmits, and retrieves textual, graphical, and auditory network of information. An interactive multimedia refers to the ability to control these components and interact with them as required.
Multimedia or any other computer-based information technology cannot become a substitute for a presenter. Instead, it can provide the presenter with powerful tools that can greatly enhance communication by delivering a multi-sensory experience.
The successful development of the methods of multimedia-based communication requires careful planning and mastery of multimedia technologies. It also requires comprehensive and effective production management. This is the result of an integrated work of a team. This session explains the steps involved in the production of a multimedia application. It includes concept, production planning, the step-by-step process, combination of media (building blocks), and its development through a team approach.
Defining Multimedia Project
The goals and objectives of the project should be defined with the close cooperation of the client. Amisunderstanding of the client needs and expectations can lead to major problems during project development.
Goals and Objectives
Following are the definitions of goals, objectives, and activities.
Goals
∎ They are the general statements of anticipated project outcomes.
∎ They are usually more global in scope than objectives and are not expected to be measurable.
∎ They should be supported by well-stated objectives
Objectives
∎ They are the specific statements of anticipated project outcomes.
∎ They should clearly identify the difference in the project being funded, as opposed to the outcome of the project.
∎ They should be measurable and directly related to project evaluation.
Activities
∎ They are the actions or things done in order to implement an objective. A person is responsible for their execution, and the cost is usually related to their implementation. There is a time frame in which they are developed and should be measurable.
Preparing for Production
Planning is defined as the formulation of a scheme or program for the achievement or attainment of a goal or purpose. All the activities that have to be implemented and executed as a part of the plan, must be related to the goal of the project. Planning is an art. It has the capacity to visualize the necessary steps in order to accomplish a goal. Many people have difficulties in translating the project goals into an interactive multimedia application. You can define the program goal(s) by:
∎Developing an outline.
∎Translating the outline into a flow chart.
∎ Developing the storyboard with all the details necessary for the production team to develop the application.
Application Gals
↓
Develop an Outline
↓
Logical Flow Chart
↓
Storyboard
↓
Production Audio, Video, Animation, Special Effects
↓
Authoring
Planning the Structure
Following are the steps to plan the development of an interactive multimedia application:
∎ Define the goals and objectives of the proposed application.
∎ Describe the content of the application.
∎ Develop the application script.
∎ Translate the application script into an outline.
∎ Translate the outline into a logical flow chart.
∎ Develop the storyboard for each screen.
Program Content
The program content is defined as the specific message, data, facts, or information to be presented. The Content Specialist provides the program content to the Multimedia Architect. That is, with facts, figures, charts, graphics, and videos. Then, the Multimedia Architect creates the narration, text, bullets, charts, and tables that are to be presented in the proposed program.
The Multimedia Architect is responsible for the final product of the information. While designing the delivery of the content, keep in mind that your audience have different leaning styles. You should use different types of media to present the concept, such as narration, related background picture, animation, digitized video, text bullets, and so on. The integration of a variety of multimedia elements will invoke different learning styles. This will help your audience comprehend and retain the information.
Multimedia Application Script
An application script is a written description of the proposed multimedia project. The purpose of the script is to describe the actions of all the components. The script development puts the proposed project in words. This step helps you to clarify the ideas and goals. The script helps the development team to get a clear understanding of the purpose of the program.
Outlining
After defining the goals, scope of the project, and describing the program, you can identify and define the branching of the program. Note that an interactive multimedia presentation has one major difference from slide or video presentations. That is, the capacity for branching. The slide and video presentations are arranged in a linear fashion. People working for the first time in the development of an interactive multimedia project face difficulty in defining and identifying the branches of the program. The simplest way to define branching is to develop an outline. The responsibility of developing an outline lies with the Content Specialist.
Developing an outline for an interactive multimedia project is like developing an outline for an essay. The only difference is the translation of the outline structure into branches on the screen. The major headings in the outline become the options to a user in the main menu of the program. When the user selects a heading, the sub-entries associated with the selected major heading are displayed.
Logical Flow Chart
Once you have developed the script and the outline, the next step is to develop the logical flow chart. The logical flow chart is very important, especially when your program is interactive. It provides a road map of the proposed application, for the team member who is in charge of authoring. This flow chart illustrates the choices the user has on each screen. The degree of complexity of these flow charts varies depending on the type of application to be developed.
Storyboard
The storyboard helps you to keep a production log. This paper trail helps you to keep track of the production.
The information contained in the storyboard and provided by the Content Specialist gives enough inputs to the development team for starting the development process. Throughout the authoring process, the development team should discuss the progres5 with the client or with the members of the application target group. This will ensure compliance with the expected goals.
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