Multimedia as a Technology Enhanced Communication Devices in Teaching Life Science

1. ON-LINE ASSIGNMENT
Multimedia as a Technology Enhanced
Communication Devices in Teaching Life
Science
BIPIN .S
NATURAL SCIENCE
Reg No.13971012

2. INTRODUCTION
Many studies debated that education has improved throughout
history with the use of multimedia with the development of technology,
teaching tools have transformed from simple text to interactive media,
potentiating enabling a more through approach to learning. Specifically
the addition of multimedia such as video may be helpful in reducing the
difficulty of converting text into practice because of its offers a visual
demonstration of instructions.
Multimedia refers to content that uses a combination of different
content forms. This contrast with media that use rudimentary computer
displays such as text only or traditional forms of printed or hand
produced material. Multimedia includes a combination of text, audio,
still images, animation, video or interactively content forms. Multimedia
devices are electronic media devices used to store and experience
multimedia content. Multimedia is distinguished from mixed media. In
education multimedia is used to produce computer based training and
reference books like encyclopedia and almanac. Edutainment is the
combination of education with entertainment, especially multimedia

3. DISCUSSION
Multimedia teaching embraces the use of animation and carton
style for it effective delivery. Multimedia approach can be used in
teaching basic science, like Biology, chemistry, Physics and
mathematics. Multimedia involves the use of two or more different type
animated introduction media in presentation. Supporting the view noted
that animated teaching involves the use of video compact disc [VCD]
Digital video Disc [DVC], power point presentation 16mm film.
Animation teaching could be inform of lesson presentation in that still
picture, text graphics, motion picture, background sound as well as some
narrations are synchronized or combined at the same time in order to
enhance learners for understanding concepts. It also includes the use of
interactive elements such as graphic, text video, sound and carton
teaching. On the other hand, since animation is composed of several
pictures displayed in sequence and frame which is available for a short
period of time, affirmed that processing animated information imposes
higher cognitive load due to the temporal limits or its working memory.

4. Specific use of multimedia includes:
 Drill and practice to master basic skills
 The development of writing skills
 Problem solving
 Understanding abstract mathematics and science concepts
 Simulation in science and mathematics.
 Manipulation of data
 Acquisition of computer skills for general purpose and for business
and vocational training.
 Access and communication to understand population and students.
 Access for teachers and students in remote location.
 Individualized and cooperative learning
 Management and administration of classroom activities.
Besides being a powerful tool for making presentations, multimedia
offers unique advantages in the field of education. For instance text
alone simply does not allow students to get a feel of any Shakespeare’s
play. In teaching biology an instructor cannot make a killer whale come
alive in classroom. Multimedia enables us to provide a way by which
learners can experience their subject in a vicarious manner. The key to
providing this experience is having simultaneous graphic, video and

5. audio rather than in a sequential manner. The appeal of multimedia
learning is best illustrated by the popularity of the video games currently
available in the market. These are multimedia programme’s combining
text, audio, video and animated graphics in an easy to use fusion.
Technology doesn’t necessarily drive education. That belongs to the
learning of students. With multimedia the process of learning can
become more goal oriented, participatory, flexible in time and space,
unaffected by distance etc.
Types of Multimedia:
 Linear multimedia
 Interactive multimedia
 Hypermedia
Linear multimedia is limited to advancing forward to next screen
or moving back to previous page. Linear or passive multimedia is suited
for presentation and demonstration that doesn’t require users’ constant
interaction. The user has limited access of information’s. There is only a
fixed path present for the flow of information’s. This is called passive
multimedia.

6. Interactive multimedia is the revolutionary form of information
technology includes voice commands, mouse manipulation, text entry,
touch screen, video capture or live presentations. It integrates various
multiple media content and information’s digitally stored applied and
adapted which users can interact.
Hypermedia is the most recent form of multimedia, with
hypermedia you can look at a screen of information’s and if there is a
topic or word you want more information’s just click with mouse then
you have more in formations. The words or phrases are highlighted with
colors that they stand out from normal text.
Advantages of Multimedia:
The pedagogical strength of multimedia is that it uses the natural
information processing abilities that we already posses as humans. Our
eyes and ears in conjunction with our brain form a formidable system for
transforming meaningless sense data into information. The old saying
that “ a picture is worth a thousand words” often understanding the case
especially with regard to moving images as our eyes are highly adapted
by evolution to detecting and interpreting movement.
For example, a photograph of Ganges in Varanasi, apart from
aesthetically pleasing can contain a wealth of information relating to
culture, religion and geography, climate, history etc.

7. Benefits to learners include:
 Work at their own pace and control their learning path
 Learn from an infinitely patient tutor
 Actively pursue learning and receive feedback
Practical Disadvantages of Multimedia:
Multimedia requires high end computer systems, sound images,
animation and especially video, constitute large amount of data, which
slowdown or may not even fit in a low end computer. Unlike simple text
files created in word processing, multimedia packages require good
quality computers. A major disadvantage of writing multimedia
courseware is that it may not be accessible to a large section of its
intended users, if they don’t have access to multimedia capable
machines. For this reason courseware develops should think very
carefully about the type of multimedia elements that need to be
incorporated into application and include only those that have significant
values.
Time spent on developing the multimedia package requires money so
that true cost of an interactive programme mounts with each delay

8. Multimedia in Life science:
Multimedia is introduced into life science to help students
understanding topics which are difficult to conceptualise and are
difficult to demonstrate in the laboratory. To encourage students to take
responsibility for their own learning and to enhance group learning skills
that deliver computer based assessment, computer based teaching
modules and web based materials.
Life science is a very visual subject, thus high quality images and
animations are essential enabling biological process to be illustrated in
an animated interactive manner. The use of graphics and animations in
our computer based teaching modules and web based materials is
designed to stimulate understanding and help in understanding and help
in remembering the detail .Graphics are chosen for their meaningful
input in potraying or understanding biological content. Multimedia today
offers a lot more flexibility than traditional educational films and videos.
Digital formats like click view make it easy for students to use
multimedia where and when it suits. So multimedia in the form of DVD
can be used in many ways.
As science educators we know how important critical thinking and
new technology are in the scientific community. The ability to question
and make sense of the world around us is like we value highly in the
scientific innovators and responsible citizens, they need more than ever.

9. Skills to gather and evaluate ideas to others with scientific literacy media
literacy and other 21st
century skills are grounded in inquiry, critical
thinking, evaluation and communication.
Students will need to become media literate and well versed in
many modes of communication that surround them if they are to sort
through this information. There is no better place learn these skills than
in the science classroom.
Although multimedia as a tool cannot replace hands on learning, it
can enhance and strengthen the impact of activities in the field of
science classroom. We can use new in formations tool such as podcast,
blogs and streaming video and audio to engage our students effectively
demonstrate science concepts.

10. The use of multimedia resources as a part of life science study can:
 Visually demonstrate scientific ideas and concepts.
 Instill a sense of wonder and excitement in students about the
world around them.
 Provides examples of real life people practicing science.
 Connects students with faraway or inaccessible places.
 Promotes 21st
century skills like critical thinking, problem solving
and communication skill.
 Provide a common experience shared by all students.
 Generate student interest in science careers.
 Increase learning efficiency
 Is more appealing over traditional, lecture based learning methods.
 Offers significant potential in improving personal communication,
educational and training effort.
 Reduce training cost.
 Easy to use.
 Tailors information directly to individuals
 Provide high quality videos , images and animations
 Offers system portability
 Free the teacher from routine tasks.
 Easily gather information about the study results of students.

11. CONCLUSION
Studies and research shows that the addition of multimedia
into education improves learning particularly in life science.
Multimedia has shown to be beneficial because it provides
visualization of concepts that are difficult to envision. In the
coming centuries multimedia will be developed for good than
present and it will be an inevitable part of education as well as life
science.

12. REFERENCE
Elliot S.N Cook, (2000), Educational psychology effective
teaching, Dominic Publishers, New Delhi.
Mayer .R.E, (2001),Multimedia Learning, Krait
Publications, Noids
Internet