Multimedia information systems in education

Multimedia applications within the academic environment can be varied and include such things as: marketing of courses with an interactive prospectus; providing general administrative information (student handbooks, timetables, assignment schedules, module content, etc.); facilitating co-operative working using such things as computer conferencing or collaborative whiteboards; and for the purposes of computerassisted-learning (CAL). In addition, multimedia can be used as an end in itself through students employing the embedded techniques in development of a spectrum of products. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the lessons that might be learnt through the application of information systems research to the field of multimedia education. By adopting this approach, parallels might be drawn between the two application areas to highlight the convergence of underlying philosophies and methods in order to inform good practice. The paper aims to promote discussion of the various aspects involved in multimedia systems development within an educational environment.