Multimedia Tools

The purpose of multimedia tools is to capture and keep our attention. In the era of increased ADHD and limited-character postings, we have either trained ourselves or have become trained by others in the ways of decreased attention span.

Multimedia tools capitalize on the diverse learning styles of audiences. We know we can be all or a combination of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic styles of information retention. Visual aids used during speeches help the audience to fully grasp the information given. Not only are we as media communicators attempting to maximize our audience, but also to obtain fuller information and message saturation in that audience. In examples such as the 2013 Enhanced State of the Union speech, an hour-long auditory speech might not keep and hold the attention of even the most interested listener. Hashtags and embed-links rampant, it is clear the participatory nature of the 2013 Enhanced State of the Union is catered toward more social media.  Providing visual aids in terms of newer and enhanced media grasps a wider audience and keeps their attention longer, especially when speaking on statistics – it helps to have a visual for the numbers and concepts discussed.

In the example of the New York Times Snow Fall article, the text is quite lengthy and may be difficult for those well-versed in the art of skiing to be numbed by the length of the content. Providing visual aids not only breaks up the physical text, but also provides deeper understanding of the items described.  How deep is the gorge in the back country? How thick are the layers in the anatomy of an avalanche? Three-dimensional graphs help those not familiar with the area (i.e. those of us who are not Olympic or national freeskiiers native to the Washington area) to better understand the terrain. Out of the twenty some individuals named, we are now able to put a face with a name and see them in the context not just of their name, but also of their families and their hobbies.

Multimedia means richer content. Too much of one style can lose even an interested audience but approaching readers on visual and auditory fronts helps us to understand deeper and stay interested longer.

References

Branch, John. [n.d.] “Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek.” The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/projects/2012/snow-fall/?_r=0#/?part=tunnel-creek

Obama, Barack. (2013). “The 2013 Enhanced State of the Union.” Retrieved from http://www.whitehouse.gov/state-of-the-union-2013

Sniderman, Zachary. (2010). “HOW-TO: Add Multimedia to Your Blog.” Mashable. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2010/07/28/add-multimedia-to-blog/