Designing Multimedia Environments for Children [Paperback]

Allison Druin (Author), Cynthia Solomon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471116882 | ISBN-13: 978-0471116882 | Publication Date: March 26, 1996

"A must read for multimedia developers and also for parents and teachers concerned by recent bunk about the dangers of cyberspace." —Nicholas Negroponte Founder and Director, MIT Media Lab and author of Being Digital

The demand for innovative new multimedia software for children has never been greater. Now experts Allison Druin and Cynthia Solomon help you meet that demand with an in-depth look at creating vibrant multimedia environments to enhance children's educational and play experiences.

Drawing upon more than thirty years of research and experimen-tation in children's software development, the authors show you a multimedia museum of examples that offer a framework for designing environments tailored to kids' unique needs. You'll explore the recent developments in multimedia environments for children and find out about new and emerging multimedia technologies.

With this unique book you won't simply read about successful multimedia environments for children, you'll get to experience some of the best, firsthand, on the enclosed CD-ROM. Compatible with both Mac and PC operating systems, the CD includes:

• Sample educational and "edutainment" products
• Videos of successful computer environments for kids
• Demo versions of commercial software tools

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Explores computer environments for children, beginning with an overview of its historical development followed by a detailed study which illustrates distinct stylistic and philosophical differences in design and educational approaches. The second segment covers recent developments in multimedia environments for kids including present and emerging technologies, commercial and experimental approaches. The last part contains a case study which uses the design principles previously presented. The accompanying CD describes hardware/software to use with children.

From the Back Cover

"A must read for multimedia developers and also for parents and teachers concerned by recent bunk about the dangers of cyberspace." —Nicholas Negroponte Founder and Director, MIT Media Lab and author of Being Digital

The demand for innovative new multimedia software for children has never been greater. Now experts Allison Druin and Cynthia Solomon help you meet that demand with an in-depth look at creating vibrant multimedia environments to enhance children's educational and play experiences.

Drawing upon more than thirty years of research and experimen-tation in children's software development, the authors show you a multimedia museum of examples that offer a framework for designing environments tailored to kids' unique needs. You'll explore the recent developments in multimedia environments for children and find out about new and emerging multimedia technologies.

With this unique book you won't simply read about successful multimedia environments for children, you'll get to experience some of the best, firsthand, on the enclosed CD-ROM. Compatible with both Mac and PC operating systems, the CD includes:

• Sample educational and "edutainment" products
• Videos of successful computer environments for kids
• Demo versions of commercial software tools

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (March 26, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471116882
• ISBN-13: 978-0471116882
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,512,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for instructional designers also, October 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Designing Multimedia Environments for Children (Paperback)

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that this book was not just for usability experts. If you are an instructional designer interested in children's multimedia, this book is very good. In particular, Chapter 7 reviews the various design approaches: waterfall, rapid prototyping, reiterative process and participatory design through the eyes of a children's multimedia designer. Unsurprisingly, this book attributes these methods to non-ID persons. Nevertheless, Druin's information adds to the wealth of ID knowledge. Hooray for a person who champions the rights of children to have their own opinions about software!

4.0 out of 5 stars Designing Multimedia Environments for Children, February 2, 2000

By 

Jennifer Dennis (Moses Lake, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Designing Multimedia Environments for Children (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading the material provided in this book. The authors definitely put a lot of effort into gathering and composing the informaion provided. I found the material extremely helpful when designing a technology plan for my school and for designing a mutlitmedia environment for our students.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Designing Multimedia Environments for Children, February 2, 2000

By 

Jennifer Dennis (Moses Lake, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Designing Multimedia Environments for Children (Paperback)

I enjoyed taking a look at this book and using some of the great ideas and philosophies. The authors definitely put in a great deal of time gathering and composing the information provided in this book. I utilized the information provided to help create a multimedia environment in the library I work in and to put forth a continuous technology plan for my school.