MULTIMEDIA APPROACH

MULTIMEDIA APPROACH

INTRODUCTION

             The   traditional approaches to instruction are inadequate for providing learner centered and appropriate experiences to the students. In this situation, modern approach like multimedia approach can play a prominent role in providing effective learning experiences to the students. For transacting curriculum material in an effective way, a teacher can depend upon the multimedia approach confidently.

                   There are many modes of instruction, which require use of several media-audio, visual and audio-visual. The learning experiences provided through such media can be designated as mediated experiences. Use of single medium cannot fulfill all the requirements of developmental education. Hence, the use of various media has to be judiciously combined. Although one of the media could be the ‘Master Medium’, other media also should be used so that quality of presentation becomes maximally effective, resulting in totality of development.

MULTIMEDIA APPROACH

Multimedia is the digital integration of text(written), Graphics (the interface of the program), Animation, Audio (dialogues, Stories, Sound effects), Still images (Pictures and Visual Stimuli), Motion video etc. Through the integration of all these media, the learning experiences become an interactive one mirroring every day experiences. Multimedia materials, however, combine all of these media providing teachers with a package offering flexibility and ease of use as well as more “realistic” contexts for language practice. Learning experiences provided through such media can be called as mediated experience. When we integrate more than one medium in teaching it is known as media mix multimedia approach and integrated media approach.

FEATURE OF MULTIMEDIA

1. It creates a rich learning environment by increasing students  exposure to the target     language and making use of authentic contexts.

2. The emphasis on experimental, Individual learning makes the learning process more natural.

3. It provides contexts and allows for the integration of such skills; learners can listen to texts as they read and exercises are often multi-skilled incorporating listening, reading and speaking tasks.

4. It can make the whole process of language learning involving and motivating by providing an exciting, dynamic and autonomous learning environment.

THE EDUCATIONAL VALUES OF THE MULTIMEDIA APPROACH

1. Multimedia approach can convey vast information and can provide many sources from which students can get access to the information.

2. Through multimedia approach a large number of models of learning can be practiced over a great range of content.

3. Multimedia approach provides the opportunity to gain mastery of competencies and skills which are based on theoretical knowledge.

4. Multimedia approach is not restricted to a single type of learning style or instructional mode. It can provide the support of a wide range of activities.

ROLE OF TEACHER IN MULTIMEDIA APPROACH

1.    The teacher has to adopt a number of methods, medias  and techniques.

2.    The teacher has to be aware of the different available media and their sources.

3.    The teacher should be physically competent to use and demonstrate the use of different medias.

4.    The teacher role in the multimedia approach is of a facilitator or manager, scaffolder etc.

5.    The teacher should provide experiences that helps the students to link practice and theory and to integrate them.

PRE-REQUISITE FOR DEVELOPING A MULTIMEDIA INSTRUCTIONAL DEVICE

There are certain pre-requisitse required for developing a multimedia instructional device, they are as follows:-

1.    PLANNING

·      Express the ides and purpose

·      Develop the objectives

·      Consider the learner

·      Find related material

·      Prepare the content outline

2.    DESIGNING THE MULTI MEDIA DEVICE

·       Identify the factors or criteria for media selection

·       Select the media

·       Make a story board

·       Develop the script

·       Prepare specifications

·       Schedule the picture taking

3.    PRODUCTION OF THE MULTIMEDIA DEVICE

·       Take the picture and keep a record

·       Process the picture

·       Edit the picture

·       Edit the narrations and captions

·       Mix sounds

·       Prepare final copies

4.     FOLLOW UP

·       Use the materials

·       Evaluate for further use

·       Revise the materials

·       Obtain copyright for the materials

ADVANTAGES OF THE MULTIMEDIA APPROACH

a)   This approach can arouse curiosity among the learners and provide them vivid impressions.

b)   Multimedia approach can develop  a positive attitude among the learners towards the teaching- learning process.

c)    Techniques of simulation can be effectively applied through the multimedia approach.

d)   Teacher can supplement regular teaching with the multimedia approach, which will help the teacher in reinforcing the learning process.

e)    Effective remediation programmers can be implemented through the multimedia approach.

DISADVANTAGES OF THE MULTIMEDIA APPROACH

a)   Multimedia approach requires highly sophisticated infrastructure facilities, which may lead to heavy financial burden.

b)   Expertise and skills are required to operate the multimedia devices, which will lead to the problem of non-availability of human resources.

c)    Multimedia approach is not feasible in the case of all topics of study.

CONCLUSION

 Like   all teaching resources, multimedia has a variety of applications in the class room as a complete curriculum, a class supplement, a source of reference or review. It caters for a wider band of learners than other classroom materials, as students are encouraged to work at their own pace and to make choice according to their preferred learning style. This has clear implications for top and bottom layers of the class and the combination of sound, visuals and interactive tasks appeals to different learning styles.

Bency Krishnan.P.B

                                                        English