Multimedia Presentation: Definition, Types, Examples & Tools

We explain what is multimedia with its definition, types, And examples of multimedia presentation. In addition: the Introduction of the tools to create multimedia presentations.

What is multimedia?

The term multimedia comes from the English word and refers to all types of devices that provide information through the use of several media at the same time. In this way, a multimedia presentation can be found in the form of photographs, videos, audio, or texts.

This term is completely related to the different devices that allow communication a multimedia presentation through physical and digital resources that these devices possess.

Its presentation can be used for different benefits, such as learning. A video can simulate face-to-face communication, where the video plays the role of issuer or interlocutor. Here the relationship between the audio of the video and its own animations simulates a conversation.

Examples of multimedia resources

These are some of the examples of multimedia resources that we can find on the internet:

Texts and graphics

They are tools that allow you to combine written resources and static or moving images. Their objective is usually the communication of specific topics through slides or interactive presentations.

Here you will find tools such as Prezi, Diagrams, Slideshare, Mural, Mindmap, Infogram, and Issuu, among others.

Audio

This group of tools allows the production, editing and transmission of audio files. Here we find platforms such as Soundcloud, Spreaker, Noise for fun and Audacity, among others.

Video

They are tools that allow you to record, edit and share video. Platforms such as YouTube, Tik Tok, Wideo, Moovly, Kinemaster and Videscribe, among others, are part of this group.

Animation

The tools to generate animations allow to give movement to static images, add audio files and text. An animation is a video whose content tends to be caricatured.

Some examples of platforms where animations can be made are Powtoon, Go Animate, Make Web Video, Animaker and Explee, among others.

Others

All other resources that, through the combination of various media, manage to transmit information to wide and dispersed audiences fall into this category. For the academic field, some examples of platforms are Moodle and Socrative.

Examples of multimedia software

For greater understanding, we have prepared the following list with several examples.

1. GStreamer  – open source multimedia framework. LGPLed. It is supported by many gamers, including gst123.
2. Kdenlive –  open source video editor (GPLv2 +), based on the KDE frameworks.
3. Final Cut Pro – Series of video editing software programs.
4. Inkscape  – professional-quality vector graphics software that runs on Linux, Mac OS X, and Windows desktop computers.
5. MediaMonkey  – digital media player, allows to organize and play audio in Microsoft Windows operating systems.
6. Moviemaker – Microsoft video editing software. It was part of the Windows Essentials package.
7. Mplayer  – mainly command line media player that supports many formats. It has a spartan interface, but it comes with some GUIs. Open source (GPLed) and multiplatform.
8. MPV  – mplayer fork with some improvements, and which is in active development. Open source (GPLed) and multiplatform.
9. OpenShot Video Editor  – Open source (GPLv3) video editor written in Python.
10. Picasa  – discontinued image organizer. Image viewer, with the ability to organize and edit digital photos.
11. Vegas Pro  – video editing software package.
12. VLC – open source cross-platform media player that plays most multimedia files and has a friendly user interface.
13. VLMC  (VideoLAN Movie Creator) – open source and cross-platform (GPLv2) video editor from the VideoLAN project (which also develops the VLC player).
14. Windows Media Player – Windows exclusive media player exclusively for Windows. examples of multimedia presentation
15. Adobe Premiere Pro  – proprietary and commercial video editor for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. It includes:
16. Abobe Illustrator.
17. Adobe Photoshop.
18. Adobe InDesign.
19. Adobe Premiere.
20. Adobe After Effects.

Differences between office automation tool and multimedia resource

Office automation

Office automation are necessary tools to perform tasks within an office or bureaucratic environment. For this, it uses tools that allow the edition, generation, transmission and storage of information in digital formats.

The main objective of office automation tools is to allow workers to manipulate and understand digital information in an efficient and simple way. Additionally, these should allow workers to carry out their tasks by creating and editing files in various native formats for each tool.

Microsoft office or Google docs are examples of office automation tools.

Multimedia resources

On the other hand, multimedia resources can operate both inside and outside the work context, since their communicative and interactive essence is broader. In general, these are not limited to the use of a native software extension, and can be saved in numerous types of formats.

In relation to their flexibility, multimedia resources allow the use of multiple means of representation, expression and exchange of data, since they are based on the idea of ​​interactivity for the assimilation of content.

Additionally, multimedia resources generate the necessary conditions so that users can navigate through their content, beyond the passive gesture of understanding information through reading.

Despite their differences, multimedia resources are useful within work contexts, where the use of office tools prevails. Its use allows to present work content in a striking way, incorporating sounds and animations, where previously only texts were found.

The Internet is a tool that is related to the generation of multimedia data . Thus, several of these data are hosted on the network so they can be viewed online or downloaded for storage. Also its broadcast can be recorded or transmitted live thanks to the Internet.

A clear example of multimedia data broadcasting is an online distance learning course for learning a language. Although it can be recorded or transmitted live through Internet access, the student makes use of the information thanks to the outgoing audio, the animations of the video, the texts displayed, and so on.

With regard to the content of web pages , currently most of them include multimedia data in their portals and sections. The most used are YouTube embedded links, animations in HTML 5 or Flash. At the same time music and background melodies can be included, and the visualization of different texts.

The advance of multimedia data

The birth and evolution of multimedia data has meant a breakthrough for computing in terms of users . Although the appearance of video games in the mid-90s intuited evolution to something much more surprising, the right technology was not yet available to exploit all the functionalities that multimedia information could offer.

The computers of that time possessed only very simple programs and a degree of enormous complexity for their development. The advancement of computers was gaining ground considerably  and the manufacture of new components was the key to a rapid evolution. This allowed access to new features never before seen and the contents began to be more and more abundant and varied.

The design and development of software was decreasing in complexity, so many companies were encouraged to create their own programs. The emergence of the Internet further enhanced the diversity of multimedia data .

At its peak, it was a feature for which many companies competed with each other. While this seems to be something in favor of evolution, it is totally the opposite. The desperation to create innovative programs that combined text, audio and animation only gave results with a lack of development and little use in particular.

Once stabilized the sector dedicated to multimedia, the experience gained from the beginning and the responses that users gave to the media, was totally beneficial for all devices and information that are directly related to multimedia.

Multimedia presentation definition

Multimedia presentation: advantages of its use

The multimedia or slide presentations computerized are electronic documents that can include text, diagrams, graphics, photographs, sounds, animations, video clips … and they are playable one to one screen of the computer as if a slide is involved.

If you also have a video projector or a liquid crystal screen and an overhead projector , computer slides can be projected onto an external screen as if they were slides or transparencies.

Among the advantages that its use can contribute, we highlight:

• Computerized transparencies allow the presentation of all kinds of textual and audiovisual elements on a screen with which explanations can be illustrated, documented and reinforced.
• Images, diagrams and other audiovisual elements (sounds, animations, videos …) attract the attention of students and increase their motivation.
• They are an ideal medium for teaching large groups.
• The projection room can be illuminated
  , in a way that facilitates the taking of notes and the participation of the audience.
• Paper copies of the graphic and textual elements of the computerized transparencies can be provided to students. And also complete copies of the computerized slide collection on a floppy disk.
• The teacher can remain facing the students during their explanations and by controlling the sequence in which the screens are to be presented using the computer keyboard. This improves communication.
• They help the teacher or speaker, acting as a reminder of the main topics to be covered.
• They can be used with any subject and educational level.
• Controlling projection is easy. Everything can be controlled by pressing a single key.
• The elaboration of computer transparencies is simple with the current programs for this purpose, for example the Corel presentation program or the Microsoft Power Point program.

Guidelines for its presentation 

To produce computerized transparencies, you must use a computer presentation program, for example Corel or Power Point.

These programs facilitate the editing of special documents that can include texts, diagrams, graphics, photographs, sounds, animations and video fragments. The texts can be edited directly with the presentation program and the audiovisual elements can be obtained directly by scanning photographs, recording sounds with the computer microphone or simply copying them from a CD-ROM or floppy disk.

However, for the design and preparation of these materials, it is advisable to take into account similar aspects to those considered in the case of the other still image teaching materials:

• Each computerized slide should present a single idea , in about 6 lines of about 6 words each. Phrases should be simple, concise, and expressive.
• The message must have a clear intentionality and be well structured.
• Information excesses are tiring. The computerized slides will highlight the most important aspects of the exhibition.
• The letters must be clear, large and well legible. Make sure that the students in the back row of the room can also read the texts.
• For the letters it is advisable to use few colors, which combine aesthetically and which highlight the main ideas.
• With the inclusion of audiovisual elements (photographs, sound, video…) in the computerized slide, it will be possible to draw more attention from the students, but avoiding overloading the presentation with superfluous elements that distract them.
• The images must be clear and simple, avoiding polysemia that can introduce confusion.
• You have to take care of the unity of format, color and style.
• Using progressive display, superimposition and concealment techniques, it is possible to create computerized slides whose information is presented progressively each time a key is touched. In this way the information can be presented little by little to the students.
• Try to combine affirmations with evidence (proof of what is affirmed) and see to include moments in which the listeners are involved.

Process for the presentation of multimedia presentation

1.Select the topic
2.Set the objectives: type of presentation (self-study material, support material for collective explanations, presentation of a work …), specific objectives …
3.Determine the recipients
4.Develop the textual content and determine the necessary multimedia. examples of multimedia presentation
5.Design the screen templates
6.Select the multimedia materials
7.Place texts and multimedia elements
8.Establish possible animations
9.Establish the links: action buttons, hyperlinks … (navigation system). 10.Development of indices.
11.Determine the transitions
12.Carry out checks on their operation

Guidelines and suggestions for Its dedactic Use

Before starting the session, everything must be prepared: the computer and the program ready, the projector well focused and the sound system with the multimedia computer speakers or external speakers

• Students should position themselves so that everyone can clearly see the projected message.
• The most significant computerized slides should be selected to avoid fatigue in the audience.
• Since the screen attracts a lot of attention, it is a good idea to turn off the projector when giving additional explanations.
• Active participation should be encouraged in the debates in the auditorium.
• It is very formative for students to prepare computerized slides to complement their oral presentations .
• They can be used as a means of evaluation by asking students for their interpretation or by using them to start a discussion.
• The Pecha Kucha technique . To avoid too long presentations and slides with an excess of information, this technique consists of presenting 20 slides of about 20 seconds each (maximum in 7 minutes)

Tools for multimedia presentation in the classroom