Customer Reviews

Multimedia for Learning: Methods and Development (3rd Edition)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is an excellent text in terms of coverage and pacing. If you are interested in human-computer interaction, this is a 'must have' text. What astonished me about this book is that it covered more issues in HCI than many dedicated user interface design books. The text admirably blends practical considerations with theoretical concerns and trends. It strongly focuses on motivational issues surrounding users of learning packages(an area largely ignored in the bulk of standard HCI texts). Don't pass over this book.

Had to buy it for a class; execellent resource for it's target audience. Make sure you're a memeber of that target audience (instructional technologists) before you buy :)

The first clue as to the value of a book is the number of editions. Generally, the true standards in a field will continue to live and be revised. This book is the standard for multimedia design and production. The foundations and theory that are explored in the beginning are as valuable as the detail in the production process that is explained. The most significant aspect of this book has to be the detail concerning methods, especially instructional simulations. Simply a must have for anyone in the field of multimedia who is looking to develop products that go beyond the traditional page turner.

This book, now in its third edition, has been widely recognized as the authoritative text for instructional design of computer-based training and eLearning. The new edition has been expanded considerably, with information on simulation, web-based learning, and distance learning. The sound treatment of tutorial instruction remains. This is a required reference for anyone doing instructional design of eLearning.

As a practicing instructional designer, I find this book to be an excellent reference in the same vein that technical books like JavaScript or PHP are better references than texts. It provides not only the theoretical and practical considerations of the many methods presented, but also implementation guidance you just don't get anywhere else. There is much meat here and very little flab. I especially like the method the authors use by reviewing previous research and authorities, and then coming to their own well-reasoned conclusions.

My only question is, why isn't there a 4th edition?

The writing style of this textbook is fantastic. It tells me what I need to know. Nothing more and nothing less. No fluff, no jargon, no academic BS. Just the essentials. It's really easy to read, and understand. I wish more academic experts and learning theorists would write like these guys.

If I could only put one multimedia learning book on my bookshelf, this would be it. The "General Principles" section provides one of the best overviews I've read of Behavioral, Cognitive, and Constructivist approaches to learning (although I do think they misrepresent the Instructional Systems Design process and treat it as a purely Behavioralist approach). This section also presents an excellent overview of the learning process. The book moves on to discuss methodologies and learning sequences at an unparalleled level, including a brilliant discussion of simulations and educational games. The book closes with an overview of an approach to Design and Development that's worth reading, but far less valuable than the previous sections. Of all my design books, this one has the most dog-eared pages and underlined text; the chapter-level bibliographies alone are worth the book's price! Anyone looking to delve deep into multimedia design for learning should have this book on his or her shelf.

Dense and confusing text. Made learning multimedia a chore rather than interesting. Gave up reading it for class halfway through and it didn't affect me.

Arrived much faster than expected and looked brand new. I was very pleased with the service. Would be happy to order from them again.

I just find it very well put together.. It takes you through the various facets of designing a course/presentation that will actually be used and useful.