Use of Multimedia Development Software for Engineering Courseware

Over the last several years, the integration of multiple media sources into a single information system has become a rapidly developing phenomenon [1,2]. This growing technology, which many refer to as multimedia, merges graphic, audio and video data into a computer-based information retrieval program. Until recently, it has been difficult for people with non-computer science backgrounds to develop and author sophisticated multimedia programs. However, with the recent introduction of many high level authoring, animation, modeling, and rendering programs for both the Macintosh and Windows-based computers, significant multimedia courseware programs can be developed by professors and students [3-6]. Even with these new media tools, a considerable amount of time is required to produce an interactive multimedia program for engineering education. The School of Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, with support provided by the National Science Foundation, has initiated a multimedia research and development program to develop solid mechanics courseware using various multimedia technologies. The primary goal of the engineering courseware is to illustrate a number of basic concepts in introductory engineering courses using the application of integrated video, speech, and three-dimensional graphics in computer-based, self contained software modules. These modules are developed to serve as a supplement to lectures and textbooks, illustrating topics befitting the audio and visual capabilities of multimedia and not to replace the instructor or textbook. Data visualization [7] is an important factor in the use of multimedia to improve on the standard learning method of lectures and textbooks. There are many technical issues, practical considerations, and obstacles involved in the authoring of engineering courseware using multimedia. This paper discusses recent findings concerning the use of multimedia for solid mechanics courseware and presents some of the techniques and methodologies that have developed at Georgia Tech during the past two years. Various multimedia tools are reviewed for their effectiveness in the development process. In particular, current authoring, modeling, rendering, and animation software is discussed for its usefulness in constructing engineering courseware.