Standard Modules

Close study of text

Drama

Film

Poetry

Prose

Standard Module B: Close study of text

Some notes on what to look for in multimedia texts

Useful sources of information:

• Definition with links and examples

http://www.scala.com/multimedia/multimedia-definition.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/software/2multimediarev2.shtml

• Definition and comprehensive explanation:

http://www.deakin.edu.au/~agoodman/sci204/lecture1.html

• This site examines varying definition of multimedia. You need to be familiar with the terms used in Critical Theory for some of its links.

http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~blakesle/396/definingmultimedia.html

Multimedia is, as the term suggests, the use of more than one form of media in a text. Media is the form and technology used to communicate information. You will be familiar with various forms of media, such as,

• video or film

• photography

• animation

• sound

• graphics and

• text

Multimedia, then, combines more than one of these forms to communicate with its audience. The rise of the use of computer technology has seen multimedia become a form is studied in its own right for the interaction between forms, once studied independently of each other.

Examples of multimedia:

• a CD of images and music tracks eg Kylie Minogue's X

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X_(Kylie_Minogue_album)

• a Powerpoint presentation for a party or presentation

http://www.esu5.org/techteacher/powerpoint.htm#Examples

• virtual reality games

eg Second Life  http://secondlife.com/

The Sims http://thesims.ea.com/

The Simpsons http://www.thesimpsons.com/index.html  

• interactive websites

Learn to use a computer eg http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/course/coursemenu.shtml

Find out about matters concerning young people your age in NSW http://www.youth.nsw.gov.au/

Find out about studying in NSW http://studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/Home.htm

Experience Mawson's Antarctica journey http://www.mawson.sa.gov.au/netscape.htm

Interactive Shakespeare eg http://aspirations.english.cam.ac.uk/converse/movies/