The DIRECT Approach to Multimedia Design

Table of Contents

Multiple Multimedia Choices
Confused? You're Not Alone.
What Do They Have in Common?
Speaking the Same Language
The DIRECT Approach
Examining the Media

 
Getting to the Facts
  A key to using multimedia is finding what works best in your circumstances. Some media work better than others for particular purposes. The object of today`s presentation is to examine the benefits of several media types currently available, create an awareness of the differences in the media, and help formulate a method for choosing and questioning media vendors.
  We each have our favorite way to get things done. Some teach best by example, others create a sense of exploration and discovery, while still others excel presentation. The same is true for multimedia. Certain developers have their favorite medium to promote, others a unique style of presenting the message. What's important is to find what works best for your audience.


Multimedia Multiple choices
  Choosing the best answer.
  The use of multimedia for training and development requires a number of choices. Amoung them are numerous methods of delivery, a variety of vendors, the necessity of keeping budgets in check and countless other challenges. Fundamentally, training professionals must remember that multimedia means more than combining computers and media. As with any successful training program, this means a careful consideration of the educational design, technical requirements, a creative approach to learning, and effective management and use of information gathered during the program. What answer's the best when planning multimedia design for training and development. That depends. On your audience. On your objectives. On your staff. And on your budget.


  Various Delivery Methods

Confusion Multiplied?
  You`re not alone.
  A big part of the problem when it comes to choosing a medium or media for training is sorting through the hype, defining your needs, and determining what are the benefits of each. The media we`re talking about in this presentation are very similar, so much that many people mistakenly use terms synonymously or inappropriately.


Mixing Multimedia Metaphors
  Part of the problem with today`s new media is a mingling of terminology. Does net mean Internet, local area network, intranet or World Wide Web? What`s a jump, a link, hypertext, hypermedia, new media?


Common elements in interactive media:

  Common elements in contemporary and traditional media presentations:

Speaking the Same Language

 

Sorting out the Confusion
  Currently the Internet, specifically, the World Wide Web (WWW) is receiving much attention. The WWW offers much to the trainer in terms of information resources, but is extremely limited in scope as a training tool. However, a company would have an option to create an intranet, use a standard Web browser as an interface and offer training in this way. For most organizations, other forms of interactive media are more beneficial



DIRECT Multimedia Design Principles
  Training and Development is often looked upon to deal with many problems which occur in a corporation. Today`s leaner, faster, smarter, quicker organizations place greater pressures on trainers that ever before. Interactive, computer-based multimedia training can immerse a person into a scenario, create safe simulations of high-risk environments, allow varied responses and self-pacing, track results, and offer feedback. The training can be tailored for a specific company, updated as necessary and offer flexibility in knowledge and skill levels. One method of designing training programs for this media rich environment is the DIRECT approach.

 
  Developed with the user in mind
  When considering the development of multimedia training programs the trainer must consider a number of questions.

 
  Interactive throughout the presentation
  The elegance of new media techniques for training allows a user to navigate through the teaching tool. This, however, requires planning on the part of the designer.

 
  Review concepts
  Along the way a variety of exercises should be offered to give the user an opportunity to move ahead and to track progress. Concepts taught in the simulations, scenarios, exercises should also result in suggestions, comments and other feedback.

 
  Engage the User
  In the best of all worlds, the program would immerse the user into a risk-free simulation. Today's multimedia training provides a content-rich environment to test options, solve problems, and develop opportunities. The structure, graphic look, and quality of the elements help to draw in the user. These elements, however, must enhance the learning atmosphere, not frustrate the user.

 
  Combine Multimedia, Database and Tracking Elements
  Computer based training offers the opportunity for instructors to receive summaries, feedback, and progress reports on users. Database functions allow additional or new variables to be inserted into the program causing changes to the simulation, further refining the skills of the user.

 
  Test for Subject Mastery
  The purpose of the training is, of course, to create a level of awareness, develop a new skill, master an approach, and so on. To assure a certain level of learning is taking place, computer-based training makes it possible to adjust to the skill level of the user and not allow the person to proceed until certain abilities have been demonstrated.

Advantages of Multimedia CBT
  A 1995 study conducted by Stanford University found costs reduced by using multimedia for training and development. The reduction in cost is a result many factors including:

Examining the Media

Videotape & Linear video on DVD
  Still considered by some to be a high end tool for training. The use of linear programs is beneficial in many ways.

......Advantages

.....Question Marks

 
DVD & CD-ROM
  Both are good methods of sharing large amounts of information. A true multimedia, computer-based solution for training programs.


......Advantages

.....Question Marks

World Wide Web
  Considered by most to be the wave of the future, but technology to fulfill the Web's promise has not yet arrived.

......Advantages

.....Question Marks

 
Other Formats

 
Development Considerations
  There are certainly a number of considerations to make when examining the use of Multimedia computer-based training. And like many decisions the answer often comes down to: When do we need it? How much will it cost? Where can we get it done?