Multimedia tools include a combination of text, audio, still
images, animation, video, or interactivity content forms. These multimedia
tools add an additional dimension to basic computers displays such as
text-only.
Take for example this New York Times article titled Snow
Fall The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek by John Branch. His use of multimedia
tools as well as vividly descriptive text really brings this story alive to the
audience without being over powering. It’s hard to not to put yourself in the
survivor’s shoes after watching the video clips and wonder how you would have
dealt with that situation.
It is my experience that photos and videos have the greatest
impact as far as telling a story and reaching the audience. There is something
about these mediums that really pulls on the heartstrings of those who view
them. I think it’s easier to dismiss information when it’s presented in a plain
text-only format where as images from still photos and videos is a visual
confirmation of the information being presented.
It can be a struggle to use multimedia tools effectively. It’s
important to ensure you choose multimedia tools that enhance your content as
they can sometimes distract your audience.
