With the incorporation of text, sound and graphics, multimedia is a different way of presenting information and in many cases can enhance the learning process. Currently, there are available commercially many multimedia titles (mostly in CD-ROM format) on various subject matter. These can be great resources for teaching and learning. However, there may be instances where commercial titles do not meet teaching objectives. In such cases, custom-made titles may be more effective. The design and development of custom-made titles is an area of great interest at CDTL.

There should be a distinction made between multimedia applications and electronic presentations. Both may employ the same medium and hardware but the use of each differs greatly. Applications used as teaching supplements are normally intended for self-directed use where the learner guides him or herself through the material contained within the application. Presentations, on the other hand, are normally given by one person and in a linear fashion.

The creation of multimedia applications is usually a collaborative effort between people with different skills. A typical team consists of a subject matter expert, an instructional designer, programmers/ authors and visual designers.

The work consists of two major stages: design and development. The design stage entails the collection of the content material. Multimedia is often used in a non-linear fashion and requires special treatment from other mediums like print or video. Content material is therefore organised and presented with this in mind. The interface is based on the typical target user of the product and the intended implementation of the application.

The development phase comes into play when the product is materialised. Programming begins and the product is tested, packaged and eventually distributed.

"Gross Anatomy", a joint project between Dr K. Rajendran from the Department of Anatomy, the Computer Centre and CDTL.

The packaging of a multimedia application can come in various forms. The current, most common form is CD-ROM. It can be mass-produced rather inexpensively and can hold large amounts of data (approximately 650-680 Mb). Large data storage is often necessary if the application includes video and sound clips. The Internet is also fast becoming another medium used for multimedia learning.

"The Effective Student" guide on the Web.

CDTL is currently working on several multimedia projects, some of a promotional nature and some for teaching. One promotional project on CD-ROM introduces the Science Faculty and will be used for student recruitment.

Another multimedia application is being developed in collaboration with the Reef Ecology Lab and Professor Chou Loke Ming. This application is intended to supplement students' learning of coral reefs, especially those found in Singapore. It also contains information on reef management and conservation.

The Centre is also exploring use of the Internet to disseminate teaching material. Our pioneering project is placing CDTL's publication The Effective Student on the Web. Although the pages do not contain media clips, web design is similar to that of CD-ROM in that it is user-directed and requires similar planning.

The interface for multimedia applications should allow for non-linear exploration and navigation.

Until we build enough infrastructure within CDTL to allow us to take on more projects, our office will be most beneficial to individuals able to create and maintain their own applications. To help make this possible, we have started conducting introductory workshops on developing multimedia applications and on instructional design. The former introduces the nuts and bolts of materialising a product and the latter deals with handling the planning and cognitive aspects of the product.