The information stimulates our thoughts, and one of its most apparent forms is multimedia. Multimedia represents a combination of text, audio, images, video, and animation. In terms of text and graphics, we have multimedia such as presentations and infographics. In audio, we have songs, soundtracks, and podcasts, whereas, in the video, we have film and animation. The information is represented digitally for all these examples and is usually interactive and widely used as an effective form of communication. Right from the education sector to business, the term has various applications. With this overview, now let’s delve into the advantages and disadvantages of multimedia.
Multimedia Advantages and Disadvantages Comparison Table
If you are in a hurry, here is a table showcasing the pros and cons of entertainment-
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Practical | Technology Dependent |
| Interactive | Excess Information |
| Multisensory | Skills Required |
| Diversity | Misuse |
| Cost-efficient | Time-consuming |
| Entertainment | Misinformation |
Advantages of Multimedia
Multimedia uses various components and can increase the effectiveness of learning. Here are the other benefits of multimedia.
1. Practical
The multimedia has a realistic approach when it comes to sharing information, making it a practical option. When images, audio, and animations are used, they stimulate the brain, making the audience more attentive. Furthermore, the use of multimedia allows them to comprehend information effectively and is quite user-friendly as well. Using multimedia, the user interface becomes appealing and simple to use. Because of this, it is used to draft content and promote information.
2. Interactive
Multimedia contains audio and visual content that improves the quality of the presentation. This increases the audience interaction and contains rich, engaging information. For these reasons, it has a preference over traditional media. Also, multimedia is easy to integrate, making it more interactive. It has wide applications ranging from the educational sector to entertainment. Along with interactivity, multimedia heightens the creativity in sharing information. Take a look at the best technology courses to understand the power of the multimedia in interactive learning.
3. Multisensory
Multimedia integrates sensory activities, where more than one sense is involved. The reason is, audiences are more likely to retain information that they perceive through different senses. In multimedia, the audience doesn’t have to just sit back and watch the screen. Instead, they can also read the text and hear the audio. Since it involves multiple areas of the brain, the audience gets to learn thoroughly about the information presented. Therefore, adding auditory and visual components gives a far more accurate message than if one type of media was used.
4. Diversity
Multimedia is not intended just for a single user, but for a wide range of audiences, even crossing language barriers. Therefore, it caters to all of their needs and can make the presentation influential and distinctive in the minds of anyone it reaches. People can leverage multimedia in understanding and expressing diverse opinions. It creates an accepting environment, where people from diverse backgrounds can put forth their ideas, and work together in a team. This, unsurprisingly, enhances interpersonal communication.
5. Cost-efficient
We all can agree that time and cost are related. In this case, using multimedia helps us reduce the time learning requires, which in turn shrinks the resources used. This way, multimedia becomes a time and cost-efficient tool. Additionally, it offers the feature of flexibility, meaning it can be personalized based on the audience’s needs. Eventually, it saves costs that are otherwise spent on acquiring resources for different audiences. In the long run, it reduces the cost of training.
6. Entertainment
Entertainment has been one of the most focused priorities for a long time. Movies, videos, documentaries, songs, images, anything that can help us relax has been given importance. Multimedia is arguably the most effective way of entertainment we have access to. Who doesn’t like to take a sip of the favorite drink and watch the favorite movie with friends or family in their rare free time in this fast-paced world? Even though it is not possible all the time, a good Android media player is the best companion for most.
Disadvantages of Multimedia
As we all know, there are two sides to the same story. So, after taking a look at the benefits, now let’s explore the drawbacks of multimedia.
1. Technology dependent
The major drawback of multimedia is that it depends on technology. After all, you need hardware, software, and the Internet to share information. Even though the technology is progressing and accepted globally, there are still places on earth where access to technology is limited. They do not have the infrastructure to support multimedia for presenting information and conveying messages. Since multimedia cannot be used everywhere, the traditional way of displaying information through in-person meetings is the only available option. Multimedia also makes students more dependent on technology, which we explained in the advantage and disadvantages of online classes article.
2. Excess information
As the saying goes, too much of something is dangerous. In the same way, excess information can hamper our attention. Various types of content can be integrated into the same slide using multimedia. There can be audio, video, animations, and texts simultaneously requesting your attention. Getting exposed to too much information at once may lead to confusion. Ergo, the attention-grabbing nature of multimedia may distract you from the original message of the presentation.
3. Skills required
Creating presentations using multimedia is a form of art. The graphics and images should be presented in a way that the audience can remember them for a while. Several factors are involved in this process. Creators must consider the knowledge of the audience related to the topic. Then, they must ensure the right amount of facts and examples are included in the presentation. This will also include selecting relevant images, videos, and animation that won’t perplex the audience and keep them hooked on the information presented. All these take a lot of effort and require skills. In simple terms, integrating multimedia can be a tedious task.
4. Misuse
Multimedia can be compared to a double-edged sword, where the intention of the user can have both favorable and unfavorable consequences. On the brighter side, it is used by the education sector to enhance the learning experience of the students. But, on the flip side, the same multimedia such as podcasts, slideshows, and animated videos can be used to influence the thoughts of millions of people worldwide. With multimedia, the same tidbit can be presented in vastly different ways, blurring the line between reality and illusion. Therefore, wrongdoers can abuse its potential to fulfill their malicious intentions.
5. Time-consuming
No doubt, once multimedia is used to create presentations, it can save a lot of time in education. But the whole process of creating high-quality presentations via multimedia can be very time-consuming. Also, we have a vast array of information available on the internet. Unsurprisingly, finding and integrating the content that fits the context of the presentation requires a lot of effort. And suppose you are distracted while making a presentation using multimedia? You might end up surfing unnecessary information and neglect the topic at hand.
6. Misinformation
Multimedia can misinform people pretty easily. It is a matter of time before inaccurate information posted online being consumed makes people think that it is true. Most of us are too lazy to fact-check the information we consume, making things much worse. Whether it is intentional or by accident, misinformation or half-knowledge of something can be extremely dangerous. The next time we are passing the information to someone, we will surely be influenced by the misinformation we consumed a while back. So, it is an unstoppable, ongoing chain that could have drastic impacts on the society.