Debbie's Weblog

A hypermedia page can be thought of as several layers.  This layers can be used to provide the learners with supplementary and supporting information.  A hypermedia textbook might include extra information in the form of additional text, computer generated speech, graphic representations, animated sequences or combination of text, speech and graphic.  The beauty of it is that exploration of this hypermedia can be left entirely to the reader.  The students have the option to browse through the reading material in a totally open-ended manner corresponding to their interests and needs, or to use the guided information.

Hypermedia instructional materials are very different from traditional computer assisted instructional software, providing a new format that can be used as a tool or could potentially be a tutor.

Hypermedia instructional materials can serve as a tool by facilitating the collection and presentation of information that might otherwise require a time-consuming search of multiple sources.  Word definitions and spoken pronunciations of new vocabulary along with pictures, animated graphics or video clips that illustrate processes or concepts being introduced or reviewed can be delivered through the hypermedia format providing students with new experiences related to the topic being studied.

Hypermedia in the content area

Features are available in hypermedia that is simply not possible in traditional format.  The multiple layers of a hypermedia text provide space for volumes of additional information while retaining an easy-to-read general format for the text.  For example, a hypermedia lesson on poetry, the students may learn that a balada is a poetic composition of a melancholic tone and while reading the poem Balada de los dos abuelos written by the Cuban author Nicolás Guillén, the students can view pictures of Cuba from that era, they can also listen to el son, which is the rhythm of this poem that mimics the typical Caribbean music.

Hypermedia appears to hold many possibilities for educational use, from a highly structures document for exploring just about any subject, to a more specific directed teaching tool such as a study guide.  The active and deliberate involvement of student when using the hypermedia materials allows movement through the material at the student?s own rate of speed as well as providing the opportunity to review material as many times as necessary.