Comparing multimedia

Similarities and Differences :
Demo 1 is an e-learning course on word processing developed by Onlineproforma S.A. This course is an introductory course meant for people wanting to learn word processing. In this particular Demo learners will be able to practice formatting skills such as adding borders and shading, bullets and numbering etc. However the learner must know how to handle the mouse and keyboard and should be familiar with the WORD environment.

Demo 2 is an orientation on Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and is developed by e-Mersion Creative Solutions. It targets the general public that is anyone who wants to learn how to practice CPR. No prior knowledge is required for this orientation.

Similarities and Differences
1. Appropriateness of level

Both multimedia are meant for people without demanding prior knowledge and is supposed to be within the means of everyone wanting to learn, however for DEMO 1 the user must have at least a basic level of graphical user interfaces and be acquainted with Microsoft Word icons. Furthermore the user must be able to use the mouse easily, to proceed through the demo the user will have to follow all instructions provided and click exactly on the asked items the given drop down menu.

The DEMO will not be appropriate for first time WORD users.

On the other hand DEMO 2 is more accesible to a larger public and the level is more appropriate for the target audience.

 2. Organization of information

DEMO 1 and DEMO 2 are both broken in different parts. The information are segmented and presented portionwise. However in DEMO 1 the information is divided according to tasks. Each part deals with the steps required to perform a given task. While in DEMO 2 the information is divided according to the information type, that is, Demonstration or Simulation type. The user can choose between the type of activity s/he wants.

The content of the DEMO in DEMO 1 is accessed via the sequencial classification on the left hand side in the task bar, thus a user can choose to view activity 4 before activity 3 or vice versa. The is no predetermine order for information viewing even though the activities are enumarated from 1 to 6.

For DEMO 2 the content is shown side by side separated by a diagonal line. The User will have to view the Demonstartion first then only the person will be able to perform tha activities in the simlation.

3. Clarity of information

In DEMO 1 the instruction are written and animations, especially the arrows clearly indicate what should be done, things to be perform by the user is shown in yellow. So it is quite clear what is being shown. The main drawback being that as the user clicks the written instructions dissapear so that the user will have to memorize what s/he has just read.

In DEMO 2 the animations are supported by narration and it is even clearer to understand the movemenst and information. The user can choose to have the written information as well, this is provided as an option. the written instructions will remain as long as the demo is on.

The Images in DEMO 2 is plain black on white graphics. It delivers the essentials and is very simple so that there cannot be any misconceptions.

4. Depth of information

Both DEMOs target the large public, but DEMO 1 deals with a more technical subject while DEMO 2 is more practical and applies to real life situation. Learning WORD processiing being more technical and requiring explicit as well as tacit knowledge the DEMO contains more in depth knowledge. The user is provided with further resources for more in depth information.

Practicing CPR is purely practical, the multimedia is more a training session teaching the right behavior and attitude to have in those situations. The user will have to develop the psycho-motor skills, the way the hands must be placed, the position on the body to press, the right frequency and so on...

5. Easy to understand

It is true that the subject addressed in DEMO 1 is more difficult to understand than that treated in DEMO 2. One is technical while the other is practical related to real life. However the way the information is presented is easy to understand in both DEMOs. In DEMO 1 the arrows are of great help in helping the user to understand what must be done. In DEMO 2 the narrative part effectively support the animations and the user can easily understand what steps to be undertaken.

Similarities and Differences
1. Clarity of objective

The objectives of the lessons are clearly stated in both DEMOs. DEMO 1 includes clear objectives at the start of each part so that the learners know exactly what is expected from them.

2. Pedagogical function of the orientation

DEMO 1 can be used for the formation WORD processing operators as well as for the devolopment of text treatment skills. DEMO 2 main purpose is to train non professionals in the field of medecin to empower them to practice CPR.

The pedagogical functions of the 2 DEMOs are very different and thats why they must adopt different approaches.

3. Content description

The content of DEMO 1 is very focused, dealing with specific aspects of word processing such as adding borders, frames.... while the content of DEMO 2 is more general treating only with the simple steps to practice CPR. These steps can be applied to all individuals and to any circumtances.

4. Logical organization of content

DEMO 2 is organised in a more logical way than DEMO 1. In DEMO 2 the user just view and listen to the demonstration, the multimedia provide a structure to help the learner to build his own mental model and internalise the steps to go through before performing a CPR on an unconscious person.

DEMO 1 seems to be just a bunch of activities to be learnt to be able to use microsoft word. The learner can just move from one activity to another in any random order. Why is creating of bulleted text placed after adding borders and shadings?

5. Feedback

Both DEMOs provide appropriate feedbacks after completion of an activity. The feedbacks help the learner to bring corrective measures to any mistakes and provide encouragement (rewards) for good answers.

Similarities and Differences
Demo 1 has a single navigation bar on the left hand side that has links to the lessons and resources. A learner can select any lesson at random by clicking on any button link.

Demo 2 has a completely different navigation system. At the bottom there is a progress bar to indicate to the user his/her progress and the time left for each slide. On the top left corner of the screen a there is a link available to explain to the user how to navigate.

In Demo 1 the user can know which lesson he is attempting but not exactly his progress through the lesson.

Similarities and Differences
1. Multimedia Principle

Both DEMOs apply the multimedia principle, that is the use of dual channel to transmit information enables better understanding as well as processsing of larger amount of information per unit time. DEMO 1 uses visual display and text while DEMO 2 uses visual and narrative.

2. Split-attention principle

DEMO 1 does not always follow this principle, sometimes the text containing the instruction to be perform is not placed near the animated arrow and this can mislead the user. However most of the time the arrows and the text instructions are in parallel and are of great help to the users.

DEMO 2 on the other hand is better concerning the split attention principle as long as the narrative is concern, but when the caption containin the text information is used the text is on the complete left of the screen while the animation may be on the right, so if a learner is to read the message he will definitely miss the animation and the visual support. It is not very effective and quite tiring since the text is placed quite far from the animation.

3. Redundancy principle

The screen in DEMO 1 is quite cluttered, there are hundreds of other icons while the user is required to use only one of them. Perhaps while using a pull down menu the other icons could have been temporarily removed to enable the learner to concentrate on the contents of the menu being used and not be distracted by the presence of other icons.

DEMO 2 presents one data at a time, all other unnecessary information fades gradually keeping only the data being processed onscreen.

4. Segmenting principle

DEMO 2 consists of two main parts, Demonstration and Simulation, the learner can choose either of these two. However once the Demonstration segment chosen the learner can just sit back and watch until the end. There is no partitioning of the information, thelearner will have to assimilate the whole lump at one go. This is against the segmenting principle, which recommends the presentation of information in different segments allowing thelearner to stop reflect and think on what has been learnt, that is some meta-cognition.

DEMO 1 is fragmented in different parts, the user can practice the bulleted list then stops. then later on takes the lesson on borders. This enables the learner to have more control on the learning process and abide more to the segmenting principle.

5. Modality principle

The same mode of transmission is used throughout both DEMOs, However DEMO 2 provides another option, The learner can choose between the pair visual + text ot visual + narration.

Similarities and Differences:
1. Limited capacity assumption

In Demo 2 the information has been presented in such a way that minimum information processing is required. Focus is put on one information at a time and the black graphic on white background also minimize memory load.

Demo 1 contains lots of information on a single screen. To carry out a task the user has to memorize the instruction and the menu/icons that have to be clicked. Therefore quite a lot of information processing is required.

2. Coherent mental representation

For Demo 2, it is quite easy to build up a mental representation of the process as it is well enumerated and classified.

It could have been easy in Demo 1 as well if only one task was explained. But since the user has different tasks to perform, it becomes difficult to build up a mental representation.

Similarities and Differences
There is little use of animation in Demo 2. It is used only to show hand movement on the chest.

In Demo 1, it is used more appropriately to give directions to the user and to show results upon task completion.