Week+4+-+E

= **Multimedia Design (E)** =

Clark & Mayer (2008) define the term “multimedia” to refer to any education presentation that includes both text and images (p. 56). Based on this definition, we can consider the program Microsoft PowerPoint as a multimedia tool. Additionally, there is an idea called the “multimedia effect” which states that people learn on a deeper level when text and graphics are used in a presentation rather than just the use of text alone (Clark & Mayer, 2008, p. 68). PowerPoint not only incorporates text and images, but sound, as well, which has the possibility of extending learning even further than text and images alone. It makes PowerPoint a powerful multimedia tool.

The University of West Georgia (2001) offers a number of tips to instructional designers to make PowerPoint presentations more effective including: 1) text should have high contrast, 2) text no smaller than 36 points, 3) settle on 1-2 sans serif font faces, 4) limit yourself to 5 lines of text, and 5) never use all caps for your text. In addition, graphics should have 1 focal point and recommends the designer should not use distracting images.

The University of Kansas (KU) (2011) offers some additional PowerPoint instructional design suggestions. KU recommends using cool colors (blues and greens) for background colors because cool colors recede. On the other hand, KU recommends yellows, reds, and oranges for text because it has a tendency to bring the text to the front. KU also notes additional functions of PowerPoint such as transitions and audio can keep the presentation interesting and say the length of the audio per slide should be limited to about 2 minutes.

Group 3, Learning by Design, has a perfect opportunity to include multimedia as an instructional tool for its Diversity Awareness Pilot Program which teaches employees of XYZ Jewelry about diversity and why diversity and creating inclusive work environments are important for all organizations. Herrington & Oliver (2009) noted that the computers [applications] can be used to create alternative instruction in place of “real life” settings (p. 2). Learning by Design is considering incorporating multimedia such as Youtube.com video clips to help learners learn how to develop strategies to create an inclusive work environment, especially as it pertains to cognitive and affective learning according to Bloom’s Taxonomy (Clark, 2009).

Second Life: Virtual reality on the web ([|www.secondlife.com])

Morrison, Ross, Kalman, & Kemp (2011) say “Learning is an active process in which the learner constructs meaningful relationships between the new knowledge presented in the instruction and the learner’s existing knowledge” (p. 150). Online virtual reality technologies such as “Second Life” ( [|www.secondlife.com] ) offer instructional designer’s limitless opportunities to create instruction using virtual reality where learners can actually use the skills they learn in realistic situations which would be highly beneficial in situations where learners are practicing interpersonal skills. Additionally, virtual reality web technology offers an added benefit: learning can take place anywhere in the world at any time.

References

Clark, D. (2009) Bloom's taxonomy of learning domains: The three types of learning. Retrieved from @http://nwlink.com/~donclark/hrd/bloom.html

Clark, R. & Mayer, R. (2008). eLearning and the science of instruction: Proven guidelines for consumers and designers of multimedia learning (2nd ed.). San Franciso, CA: John Wiley & Sons.

Herrington, J., & Oliver, R. Critical characteristics of situated learning: Implications for the instructional design of multimedia. Retrieved Oct. 27, 2009, from @http://www.konstruktivismus.uni-koeln.de/didaktik/situierteslernen/herrington.pdf

Morrison, G. R., Ross, S. M., Kalman, H. K., & Kemp, J. E. (2011). //Designing effective instruction// (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

University of Kansas Instructional Development and Support. (2011). Power PowerPoint for instruction. Retrieved from: http://ids.ku.edu/content.php?layer=3&page=id&content=powerful.

University of West Georgia Distance Education. (2001). Graphic design principles for PowerPoint [PowerPoint]. Retrieved from: http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ppt/gooddesign_html97/