Interactive Multimedia and Learning: Realizing the Benefits

TLDR

Interactive multimedia is believed to create engaging, high‑quality learning environments that promote deep learning. The paper advocates a user‑centred design approach for effective interactive learning applications. The authors outline a user‑centred design framework grounded in human‑computer interaction principles and educational theory, detailing how multimedia elements, user control, and interactivity can enhance learning and proposing directions for future research. Evidence shows that interactive multimedia’s potential is currently under‑realized.

Abstract

Abstract Many people argue that interactive multimedia has the potential to create high quality learning environments which actively engage the learner, thereby promoting deep learning. However there is growing evidence that the potential of interactive multimedia is not being fulfilled. This paper argues that if we are to design effective interactive learning application then a user-centred approach to their design should be taken. This approach should be based on general human-computer interaction principles as well as educational theory. The paper starts with an overview of the learning process. Consideration is then given to how the key elements of interactive multimedia (multiple media, user control over the delivery of information, and interactivity) can be used to enhance that process, with the emphasis being on promoting deep learning. The paper concludes by giving suggestions for future work.