Multimedia has charged onto the scene. Companies throughout the nation are putting a wide variety of subject matter onto CD ROM for use on home computers. Learners are beginning to expect fairly high levels of media sophistication in all aspects of learning whether individual CBT or in more exciting and visually stimulating classroom presentations. This paper discusses the evolution of a multimedia classroom upgrade for academic classes taught to Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) students in the Air Education and Training Command.
The paper outlines the development of presentation requirements, constraints and product options. It also describes multimedia presentation development. The paper will also describe results obtained in both quantitative and qualitative reviews of the first fielded courseware.
Beginning in January 1995, a comparison was begun to measure the effectiveness of the newly installed multimedia presentation systems and the accompanying courseware. Quantitative evaluation included quizzes and end-of-course examinations administered to student pilots at 3 different SUPT bases. Quizzes were given to students taking a T-37 Systems Course. Quizzes were administered to the last class to use the older version of the courseware as well as the multimedia version. The same groups' final exams were also examined. The qualitative portion of the study included interviews with students and instructors involved with the multimedia version of the course. These interviews focused on issues such as the motivating aspects of the courseware and lesson aesthetics.
Quantitative analysis showed no statistically significant difference in student test-score performance. Qualitative analysis showed considerable satisfaction with the courseware's ability to show complex concepts, keep student attention and the presentation system's ease of use.