Multimedia and motivation

Allison and Michelle:

How does multimedia keep the learner motivated to learn?
Multimedia keeps the learner motivated because it allows access to the teaching and learning material at anytime. This accessibility to the material and the possibility of repetition allows the student freedom to learn and a wider knowledge. The use of multimedia obliges learners to know the material since there is no other way “one can pass to the next level”.
The material presented through multimedia could represent a challenge for the students, could wake up their curiosity, could be fun and interesting, could create fantasy, and could increase competition or cooperation.
Is there an “entertainment” factor needed for today’s student?
Yes, I think that our learners are immersed in a world where technology entertains every aspect of our lives: TV, CD, the Internet, mp3/mp4, videos… Learners today expect to be taught with tech gadget available. They have grown up with tech and with the entertainment that it brings. Otherwise, the class is going to be boring.
Do you think the student has to always interact with content just to stay focused?
From my own experience, a learner has to interact with the content if the learner wants to learn because it is the intellectual process that is going to result in his or her understanding. There are different ways to interact with the content, using technology, through demonstrations, through discussions or other strategies that help the learner to interact with content, but I believe the students always have to interact with the content to stay focused.

Susana