Hypermedia and PowerPoint: Developing Critical Literacy Skills
Presenter/s: Jim Sprialis
Contact: Mr Jim Sprialis -
Paper type: Paper - Non-Refereed
Session: 7/07/2004 - Concurrent 18 - 4:30:00 PM - 5:00:00 PM - Convention
Centre - Room 1
Strand: ICT in learning areas
Abstract
This presentation will showcase the possibilities and potential of PowerPoint in the creation of hypermedia presentations. Hypermedia authoring combines the use of hypertext and multimedia to produce an interactive non-linear media experience for a given audience.
Hypermedia composition involves an understanding of hypertext literacy and this
form of literacy gives authors a powerful and creative means of conveying their
ideas. An early introduction to the use of hypermedia literacy can foster information and critical literacy skills. The process of becoming hypermedia literate includes negotiating specific genres and cueing systems. The hypermedia author is also developing the critical literacy skills to interchange genres to represent and communicate their ideas.
Participants will be presented with student PowerPoint samples in a wide range of genres and will come away with a host of ideas that encourage creative thinking.
Workshop Notes
Introduction and Definitions
Hypermedia (media making use of hypertext) has the potential to be interactive and participatory by invoking the user’s agency to make choices about information. At its best, hypertext
"frees the user to investigate an idea or a series of ideas according to a personal way of thinking and to familiarity with the background information. Hypertext makes learning more enjoyable, and enhances data retention because hypertext is more efficient at meshing the information with the user’s thought process than a linear presentation of ideas can be" (Bonime and Pohlmann 1998: 45).
Definitions: Multimedia, HyperText, HyperMedia
· Multimedia is the integration of media such as text, graphics, animation, sound, and video.
· Hypertext is a nonsequential, nonlinear method for displaying text and has the following features:
o nodes or chunks of information
o links between nodes
o organizational structure that describes network of ideas
o dynamic user control
o multi-user access
· Hypermedia is the union of multimedia and hypertext
Advantages of authoring Hypermedia presentations:
· The learner is more mentally engaged by developing materials than studying them
· Permits concrete representation of abstact ideas
· Enables multiple representations of ideas
· Students are actively engaged in creating representations of their own understanding by using their own modes of expression
· Students are highly motivated due to pride of ownership in the product
http://www.quasar.ualberta.ca/edpy485/mmedia/hypmind.htm for more information
PowerPoint as a Hypermedia Tool
· Rationalization of time required to become familiar with software
· PowerPoint potential and expanding use makes it a sensible choice
· Images – students create their own using KidPix, Paint program or scanned illustrations. Clipart – does it have a role?
· Sounds – downloaded from www.findsounds.com or created with Sound Recorder/Audacity
· Developmental approach to hypermedia authoring
· Soundscapes –
o Kidpix background
o use of stamps
o downloaded sound effects
· Habitats
o an image has been used to created hyperlinks to information slides
o sourcing their information
o utilizing a range of media
· Narratives
o still a linear story (buttons for navigating)
o hypermedia can be used to elaborate on an aspect of the story eg Historical/background information, a character’s secret thoughts
o hypermedia to a different genre eg a letter, set of instructions/procedures
o a parallel storyline with different outcomes(Sliding Doors)
· Choose your own Adventure/Quest
o Hotspots can give sound effects, audio cues/instructions, links to slides, a map, a letter
o One file or multiple files makes for collaborative task on a larger scale
o Duplicate slides to create multiple levels of same scenes but with different hyperlinks
The screenshots below have been included as a visual reminder of the student samples presented at the workshop.A Soundscape of a farm scene / An Information Report on Habitats
A narrative of Jack and the Beanstalk / Introductory map to Mystery Island