Multimedia

The challenge for online teachers is to develop dynamic learning activities through which students can learn actively, use and develop critical and analytical thinking, solve 'real-world' problems, construct their own understandings.

The ability to include audio and video as well as make web pages interactive using embedded programs (such as Java applets, JavaScript and Flash) and 3D animations has provided more scope to develop realistic, interactive and effective learning activities.

For information on Audio/Video recording of lectures go to the MyUni support site MyMedia page . 

Where can I find multimedia resources?

Before embarking on learning multimedia authoring programs such as flash and java, you should research what is already available in your field. The following sites offer links to multimedia resources:

Wikimedia Commons is a repository of media items (mostly images) that can be used by anyone for any purpose. You should still ensure you correctly cite items and also read any license conditions associated with each item you download from the site.

edna Higher Education provides news, events, resources and information of interest to the higher education community in Australia and worldwide.

Merlot (Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching).

Department of Physics, University of Oregon
http://jersey.uoregon.edu/

MathCasts and ExamView Wiki
http://math247.pbwiki.com/Mathcasts+Library

Email the Online Learning team for advice on producing and incorporating educational multimedia in your course. 

Examples of how multimedia is being used at The University of Adelaide

HEDI (Health Education Development and Innovation)

The HEDI multi-media resource material is a collation of new teaching resources. This material has been developed in collaboration with health practitioners, academics and multi-media experts with experience across the health sciences and clinical practice areas.

The objective is to develop resource material that are:

• Reflective of contemporary clinical practice,
• engage the learner by providing a range of visual mediums that help explain simple and complex tasks,
• appropriate for varied cultural and educational backgrounds of students.

Online Physics Practicals (Macromedia Flash)

The following is an online practical developed by Charles James for use as preparation by students before undertaking the actual practical session in the lab.

Click here to try it out. (opens in a new window)

Audio Narrated Jaw Surgery Video (Streaming Video)

Dr Bob Jones, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, has embedded a number of audio-visual presentations including a narrated video of a corrective jaw surgery procedure.

Students now have the opportunity to study a real procedure in detail they may not otherwise have the opportunity to see. The video has been made available through MyUni using streaming media technology.

Visible Human Viewer (Java Applet)

Paul Coddington, Department of Computer Science, has taken part in developing a Java applet that allows you to select and view images of two-dimensional slices of a human body, male or female, from the top, side or front.

You can see the Visible Human Viewer here:
http://www.dhpc.adelaide.edu.au/projects/vishuman/

Further information

Also see this Wikipedia article on Educational Animation