Multimedia
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Using Multimedia
Using several different media in a collective form for conveying information is generally termed Multimedia; a break-up of the word defines it the best: Multi (ple) Media. Media is itself defined as a means or instrumentality for storing or communicating information; since text, audio, graphics, animation, video and interactivity transmits information individually, therefore, when put together, they give rise to Multimedia. However, a commoner would refer to the term as simply the use of computer technology to create, store and experience multimedia content. Linguistically speaking, Multimedia, the word, is a double plural, since media is the plural of medium and has multi i.e. many as a prefix.
The world has witnessed computer technology taking over Multimedia over the past decade; the bottom line being clarity in user perception, multimedia has been regarded as the gateway to an enhanced user experience. The reason being information presented in an audio-visual mode and heightened interactivity, Multimedia, till now, has made it easier and faster to grasp information.
Multimedia – The Advent
Attempts to identify a dominant theme behind the emergence of multimedia, as the new ruling force, got many-a-critics bedeviled; the subject, being a diverse one, escapes a proper historical frame. Elusive, open, democratic, non-hierarchical, fluid, varied, inclusive and everything in between, multimedia is considered a complex domain that always escapes the critic's grasp. Hardly does anybody realize that even multimedia is the final product of a deliberate intent that started off as the brainchild of intellectuals who headed towards obtaining an orderly, logical and aesthetically consistent destination. However, the final thing is said to have emerged as a conglomeration of the key concepts of: integration, interactivity, hypermedia, immersion and narration. And all the elements followed their own tradition and trajectory though in an inextricably interwoven manner and under mutual influence.
How Multimedia Works?
“Digital works also use ideas of reflection, often incorporating surveillance and voyeurism. A requirement of cyberspace, like that of many primitive tribes, is to create a personal mask. Masks camouflage the body and in doing so liberate and give voice to virtual selves. While disguised, personal truth can be released yet the fragile and tenuous face of vulnerability remains protected. Masks are part of the grammar of cyberspace. It is the syntax of the culture of computer-mediated identity, a culture that can also include simultaneous multiple identities that abridge or dislocate real time gender and age.”
- Lynn Hershman (One of the first artists to grasp the expressive possibilities of interactive electronic media)
(Image Source: http://www.ifets.info/journals/4_4/neo.html)
Multimedia technology is an innovative and effective strategy that brings together all the possible media-forms to give rise to a third form with a distinct identity; however, the wonder of multimedia is, even in spite of the conglomeration, it allows the other forms retain their own identities as well. Thus, from the results, it may be concluded that by integrating the different media forms, multimedia applications allow users to actively participate and exercise their grey cells instead of just sitting by as passive recipients of information. This, in turn, stimulates the creative and critical thinking skills that are necessary to face the real-life situations.
Using Multimedia for…
In spite of the existing traditional and time tested educational forms, the rookie named Multimedia has taken over a considerable part of the system; from the corporate world to the toddler-houses, multimedia is casting a sort of monopoly that’s outrunning even the time-honored methods of information transfer. Reasons are galore; however, the most common ones are:
- Greater details and depth.
- Non-linear navigation.
- Direct access to specific content.
- Cross-references.
- Multiple representations of the same information and in various attractive forms.
- A catchy presentation of information.
Image Source: www.csu.edu.au/... KevinPagePAPER/kevinpage.html
Multimedia has also been able to wipe-off the mismatch between what is taught to the students and what the industry needs; institutions are currently putting an extra emphasis towards problem-based learning as a solution to producing graduates who are creative, can think critically and analytically, and are able to solve problems.
This flow chart explains:
The multimedia-oriented Problem-Based Learning curriculum model.
Image Source: http://www.ifets.info/journals/4_4/neo.html)
“With multimedia, the profound ethical and aesthetic challenge comes from the burden of responsibility that lies within the individual, once the constraints on communications are so radically eased, if not eliminated.”
- Kenneth Dyson (Lecturer; School of Business, Retail and Financial Services; University of Ulster)
Multimedia, since its early days, have also opened up a plethora of career opportunities for people with both creative and technical intent, which in turn have also given rise to certain industries that had never been thought of formerly. Apart from that, it has also given new dimensions to age-old career forms such as instructional and visual designing, illustrations, photography, and video and audio production. The almost-steroidal effect has thus been witnessed into various fields including art, education, entertainment, engineering, medicine, mathematics, business, defense and scientific research. Computer-based training courses or CBTs also experienced newer dimensions in the form of e learning; so did the encyclopedia and almanacs when they shifted over to compact discs (DVDs as of now) from the traditional paper media.
Image Source: www.w3.org/2004/Talks/ 20043GSM/slide6-0.html
The current trends are putting multimedia publishing up on the Internet; embodying the combination and interaction of multiple media types, interactive multimedia is giving rise to a computing environment that’s enabling every user to manipulate information into their own style or application through custom interactive modes and controls.
Multimedia is also adding vibrancy to the drab palette of networked computing. Incorporating sounds, images and video into the former all-text medium, it’s applying a new definition to user communications through Video Conferencing, Audio and Multimedia Electronic Mail and MMS (Multimedia Messaging System), the latter being an application that allows one to send and receive messages containing Multimedia - related content through cell phones. However, apart from defense and engineering, the two fields that are cashing-in with multimedia are definitely the entertainment and the medical sciences.
Image Source: http://www.pocketpcmag.com/
Already considered an expanding market, a vast number of hospitals and doctors have already imparted this market an extremely attractive appearance. Websites incorporating videos of surgery and case studies published online being the first steps, thanks also go by-and-large to the specialized wireless telemedicine integrators (ERlink.org being a prominent one) for providing the complete end-to-end solution. The process utilizes server based data and wireless client PDAs for roaming doctors to provide solutions as well as recommendations on the go. And since graphics, modeling and animation form an integral part of multimedia, functioning of internal organs as well as the individual, intricate surgical procedures are now been simulated to provide the real-life effects.
Virtual reality, the most discussed subject currently in the fields of entertainment, is also an entity that multimedia gave rise to. Technicalities aside, this is the state that arrives when the computer disappears and the user becomes the ghost in the machine (quoting The Police) provoking sensuous immersion and supported by rich media along with powerful 3D graphics. Other offerings of multimedia that the entertainment industry has embraced so far are the 2D and 3D animations, non-linear editing and digital audio productions, which are used not only in movies but also in the domains of computer games.
Why a higher multimedia level is supposed to lead to an increased entertainment value, improved information and knowledge transfer. (Image Source: http://www.cyber-ventures.com/mh/paper/mmtheory.htm )
Multimedia: Where is it heading?
Apart from the ongoing researches for making virtual reality everybody’s piece of cake; multimedia is struggling to enter the wireless domain for bringing in linear modulation and video compression for the spectrum-efficient multimedia radio systems. Linear modulation codes and transmits both amplitude and phase, which can simultaneously transport multiple types of information through proper, supporting devices. With Macromedia Flash, the world got exposed to a new generation of rich, connected applications till now, and since users are hungry for anything between and beyond the location-enabled restaurants, movie reviews and games and MMS, the streaming video and audio applications are gaining prominence on the diminutive devices.
Image Source: http://edtech.utb.edu/6329a/Articles/Future/Article8.htm
It is not unwise to think either that in the higher education sector; learning shall be facilitated in an online environment. The growing wave of excitement about multimedia and Internet courseware being currently in the limelight; the new paradigm shall also allow the brainy ones to achieve their goals within a much shorter time span. But the new model is going to work only when education shall come to a better agreement about the levels of capacities and interest it expects for each level of credential. Technology, also, has to become more sophisticated about rating them.
But above all, digital audio will continue to improve in quality, specifically in real-time communications, video, shall allow instant communication; and animation will become more advanced; looking and working better to appear lifelike.
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