All the resources and knowledge to design and customize every aspect of an effective online education program.

Building an online course enables the integration of a seemingly endless myriad of multimedia learning tools. Selecting the right media elements for the content base of a course, however, is critical. These elements, combined with the academic content, will serve as the building blocks of online course delivery and ultimately provide the framework for successful online learning.

But, how do instructors decide which media tools will enhance rather than hinder the learning experience?

Partnering with a course development expert is one answer. For example, the course development model created by The Learning House, Inc. emphasizes the integration and development of media, which provide reusable learning objects, or RLOs. The RLOs often enhance online courses and include PowerPoint presentations, audio, video, still images and Flash presentations that incorporate both audiovisual and interactive objects. Other types of media objects include streaming audio, iPod content, Adobe Captivate tutorials, Adobe Presenter presentations and custom imagery.

Each content object is custom designed by the Learning House’s instructional media specialists, who work closely with the publishing specialists throughout the course development process to create the highest quality and most interactive media elements for a client’s online course.

Once the content base of a course has been built, the inclusion of media elements into student assignments and individual or group communication such as Second Life and Social Networking is entirely up to the instructor. The realm of online education may even utilize a popular social networking site such as Facebook. As Michele Herrmann writes in her article, “What’s New,” as published on universitybusiness.com, some learning management systems feature applications that allow users to receive class-related updates while logged onto Facebook.

Fad-driven multimedia activities such as Second Life certainly have a fair share of partisans and critics. According to Tim Goral’s article, “Sizing Up Second Life” on universitybusiness.com, this medium has proven as an effective marketing tool that provides yet another method of interaction for students and faculty worldwide. Some schools even offer courses online through their Second Life islands. This technology is still relatively new, however, and some legal issues may arise in this brave new world of simulated life. Incorporating this type of technology into the world of education is best suited for those instructors who are highly tech savvy.

The goal of Learning House publishing experts is to provide online instructors with a solid content base for their courses. Instructors must decide if and how they will incorporate additional activities and elements.

While there is no doubt that multimedia elements can serve as powerful tools of learning enhancement, they need to be selected and combined carefully to avoid creating a sensory overload that can distract students, crash servers and hamper learning.

As Melissa Ezarik writes in “A Virtual Visit Welcome” on universitybusiness.com, the success or failure of multimedia experiences is based on execution. Long or boring presentations can actually detract students from the learning process. Regarding multimedia use, Ezarik states that “content is key.” Instead of focusing only on the technical details, it is important not to lose sight of the content side of a course.

Through the creation of high-quality RLO’s that are not as fad or application driven as some media elements, the Learning House aims to provide stable and successful multimedia tools that further student’s superior learning outcomes.

All instructors seek a smooth and hassle-free process of course development and media integration. By engaging in a partnership with instructional media specialists to create multimedia course content that supports set learning objectives, educators can rest assured that their courses meet and exceed the standards of learning. With solid tech support and appropriate training, teachers can ensure that students utilize the full spectrum of course content.