Simple Geography-Related Multimedia

Abstract

Teaching geography at university level involves students in study of complex diagrams and maps. These can be made easier to understand if split into parts. This chapter reports the work of a team writing a series of courses in geographic information systems (GIS) and their solution to the problem, which involved authoring simple multimedia animations using Microsoft PowerPoint™ software. The animations were authored by those writing the courses with little input from the multimedia Web specialist supporting the team. The techniques that the team used to produce the animations are explained, as are the nine points of best practice that were developed and how the animations were used with other non-animated content. Three sub-categories of these animations are described and explained and the issues of maintenance and reuse of the animated content is considered.