Interactivity
Navigation
The most basic interactivity is navigation. Users can view content on demand by clicking links or buttons. Hyperlink is the term we use for the typical underlined links found on web pages that allow the user to find contextually relevant content. Today we use hyperlinks mostly for links to content on other web pages or other content sections of the current page. On screen buttons or clickable images are more commonly used for interactive features such as playing a sound on demand or submitting answers to a quiz question.
The most basic interactivity is navigation. Users can view content on demand by clicking links or buttons. Hyperlink is the term we use for the typical underlined links found on web pages that allow the user to find contextually relevant content. Today we use hyperlinks mostly for links to content on other web pages or other content sections of the current page. On screen buttons or clickable images are more commonly used for interactive features such as playing a sound on demand or submitting answers to a quiz question.
The Four Principle Navigation Structures
- Linear navigation takes the user through the content step by step. Sometimes there are prescribed pauses in a linear presentation before the user is expected to navigate to the next screen. At other times, such as a YouTube video, the presentation is continuous unless the user presses pause on the player.
- Hierarchical navigation only permits the user to navigate through prescribed levels of content. To get to the details on level 3, the user is forced to first view a page at level 2. This is also known as a tree structure and is one way that the instructor seeks to control the information flow to the student.
- Non-linear navigation is typical of web sites. The user is typically provided with multiple ways to get from one piece of content to another. By providing non-linear navigation, the author accommodates users desires but no longer has any control of the flow or sequence of information.
- Composite navigation is a combination of the other three navigation types. In a web presentation, composite navigation can be created by limiting navigation choices in the main menu to only those pages that begin a sequence or are at the top of a hierarchy. When the user views one of those important anchor pages, navigation to related pages then becomes available.
Other Interactivity
Buttons that trigger sounds, alter content, or submit feedback are common interactive techniques. DIY techniques are usually required to produce original interactive content but common interactive templates exist for things like quizzes and simple games.
Buttons that trigger sounds, alter content, or submit feedback are common interactive techniques. DIY techniques are usually required to produce original interactive content but common interactive templates exist for things like quizzes and simple games.
Adding Navigation to Your Multimedia
If your multimedia product includes a lengthy video, you can add navigation to allow your visitor to find sections of the video more easily. In Camtasia, you can create markers which will translate into chapters when you compile the video. You can also add hotspots on screen where users can click to advance the video to any location. If you don't use Camtasia, you can upload your video to YouTube and create chapters and links using their tools as in the video embedded below. And your DIY option is always available to create code that controls your multimedia content in any way you can imagine.
If your multimedia product includes a lengthy video, you can add navigation to allow your visitor to find sections of the video more easily. In Camtasia, you can create markers which will translate into chapters when you compile the video. You can also add hotspots on screen where users can click to advance the video to any location. If you don't use Camtasia, you can upload your video to YouTube and create chapters and links using their tools as in the video embedded below. And your DIY option is always available to create code that controls your multimedia content in any way you can imagine.
Creating Hot Spots with Camtasia
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Add Chapters to your YouTube Videos
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