Multimedia
Multimedia is the means of using different forms of media to convey information, and since we are now living in the Information Age, the word ‘multimeda’ has become part of our everday vocabulary. It includes the use of text, graphics, still images and videos and of course, the Internet.
Multimedia can be divided into two major catagories – linear and non-linear multimedia. According to www.usu.edu , multimedia can be defined as “A non-interactive form of multimedia in which a project starts at a beginning and runs through to the end. Conventional “television” is essentially “linear multimedia” (although switching channels could be said to involve interactivity). However, there is no ability for the end user to control when elements are to be delivered. Some multimedia projects are like television in that they present material in a linear fashion from beginning to end” (http://www.usu.edu/sanderso/multinet/definiti.html#L)
Whereas non-linear multimedia is “When the end user is given navigational control to wander through multimedia content at will. The user can control what is seen and when it will be seen” (http://www.usu.edu/sanderso/multinet/definiti.html#N) This includes video games in which the gamer can control what they see on screen and also hypermedia.
Multimedia is now commonly used for educational purposes, especially in Universities where interactive learning has a major role. For more information on Multimedia, I strongly reccomend watching the following video, “What is Multimedia”.
