Instruction in a Postliterate Culture: Multimedia in Higher Education

During the past few years, developments in computer technology have raised interest in multimedia as a transformational mode of instructional delivery. In contrast to earlier forms of audio-visual technology, the power of computer-based multimedia results from 1) its ability to combine multiple media formats under a single inteiface and 2) its ability to link objects within those formats in a nonlinear fashion. Effective incorporation of multimedia into the curriculum requires an understanding of the differences between presentation-mode use of the technology by educators and hands-on use by students. In addition, multimedia techniques can enhance various models of instruction, for example, the collaborative model that has received much attention in recent years. The ultimate success of multimedia will require improvements in network technology to facilitate widespread access to source materials