WICS-Pre-Conference Workshop

"Surviving the Multimedia Blitz: How to Find Your Path Through the Maze"

The number of media options for faculty to use in learning environments has accelerated in recent years for two reasons: 1. Availability of easy-to-use and low costs of micro computing presentation software, and 2. The motivation of faculty to learn and use the technology for personal productivity. However, as the number of media options increases, the decision-making process also becomes more complex and sometimes more risky. The treat of obsolescence is right around the corner with hardware and software. If you wait until everything settles down (less change) you may wait forever and never use the technology. If you buy now, you discover the process of "upgrades" every three months. If you buy almost every new product at these reasonable prices, you spend more time on the technology than on discipline content.

This workshop provides a self-assessment process leading to a clarification of your personal classroom needs for specific courses and helps to identify what types of media are most appropriate for effective classroom learning. The process is a seven state approach: 1. The multimedia blitz: an overview 2. Re-engineering yourself by linking technology to education 3. Looking over the options, quickly 4. Tradeoffs: costs and benefits 5. Detailed analysis and design of your strategies 6. Delivering the presentation 7. More reflection on your return on investment.

Return to NEWSletter - Spring 97 Issue.