Discusses the importance of the computer-user interface for instructional multimedia materials to motivate students effectively. Motivation, functionality, learner control, cognitive optimization, interactivity, cognitive load, and screen design are discussed. (LRW)

The word "portfolio" might bring to mind the artist's case bulging with sketches, samples and finished or unfinished works in no particular order. On the other hand, it might suggest the familiar collection of report cards, crayon drawings and dioramas that accumulate in schoolchildren's homes over the years. In an adult education setting,…

One common objective of instructional multimedia products is enhancement of learning. It follows that one of the primary tasks of the interface designer is the creation of a user-interface that is motivating, interactive, intuitive and at the same time imposing as minimal as possible a cognitive load on the learner. To achieve this goal, qualities…

Anthropomorphism can be defined as the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to inanimate objects. People give names to their automobiles and computers as a way to relate to complicated pieces of technology that they use regularly, but do not fully understand. Software designers may claim that their interfaces are intuitive, but in…

Describes Windows-based multimedia authoring programs that cost less than $1000. Discusses text support, interface variety, title creation, search and retrieval capabilities, special features, platform requirements and cost, design, royalty-free use, distribution and selling. (AEF)

Interactive whiteboards have made quite a splash in classrooms in recent years. When a computer image is projected on the whiteboard using an LCD projector, users can directly control the computer from the whiteboard. In some systems such as Smart and Mimio, the finger is used in place of a mouse to open and run programs or move windows around. In…

The purpose of this study was to examine how end-users participate in the evaluation of multimedia programs in North America. Questionnaires were sent to over 100 projects (26 returned) focusing on instructional objectives. Results are discussed in terms of graphics, the user/machine interface, costs, program design, quality indicators, such as…

This study of Israeli kindergarteners examined gender differences in the preferences to varying designs of multimedia learning interfaces in interactive multimedia stories. Highlights include a taxonomy of design of efficient user interfaces and the use of Lampert's Attitude Pollimeter to determine students' opinions. (Contains 19 references.)…

Describes DVD (Digital Videodisc, or Digital Versatile Disk) technology which offers the ability to combine laser disc and CD-ROM programs to create a multimedia platform that can deliver high quality, full-motion video and an on-screen user interface for interactive navigation and branching for providing group or individual instruction. (LRW)

A qualitative study of three Chinese interactive multimedia programs and interviews with multimedia designers were undertaken to develop user interface design guidelines for Chinese multimedia designers. The study revealed that most multimedia designers do not have formal training in user interface design and employed few guidelines. Recommends…

ArtShow is a digital image database that employs sophisticated features for interactive presentations of data. To demonstrate the program, an example database was prepared, based on the collection at the National Bank of Greece with names, comments and keywords in the Greek language. Discussion includes: the database platform and internal…

Conversational technologies such as email, chat rooms, and blogs have made the transition from novel communication technologies to powerful tools for learning. Currently virtual worlds are undergoing the same transition. We argue that the next wave of innovation is at the level of the computer interface, and that mixed-reality environments offer…

With regard to the acceptance of human-computer interfaces, immersion represents one of the most important methods for attracting young visitors into museum exhibitions. Exciting and diversely presented content as well as intuitive, natural and human-like interfaces are indispensable to bind users to an interactive system with real and digital…

End users think of file names as a way to identify file contents, whereas computer programs often assign special meaning to file extensions. This article discusses different kinds of files on the World Wide Web: text, document, sound, video, and multimedia; file compression; and encoding formats. Includes a chart of file formats and lists Web…

Examines the interworking between Internet- and ISDN-based conferences, and shows how Internet and ISDN multimedia conferencing environments can be connected. Describes the components of the Conference Management and Multiplexing Center, which act as a gateway between the two environments, and ISDN multimedia conferencing equipment. (Author/AEF)