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2.1.3. Intellimedia

For discussion purposes, intellimedia (IM) is defined as a fully integrated knowledge and HM-based development and delivery system containing embedded intelligence for static and dynamic multimodal (textual, visual, and auditory) information and knowledge management, sharing, and display (Ragusa, 1994). In effect, IM represents the convergence of nonlinear MM, associative HM links, MM data management methods, a knowledge representation scheme, and a human interface modality. As Figure 1 indicates, IM is an extension of HM enhanced by the inclusion of embedded intelligence, which offers richer and more robust applications than presently provided by ES and HM systems.

In addition to captured knowledge and associative links within IM systems, intelligent interfaces and other enhancements are essential to overcome the limitations of HM. According to Halasz (1988, p. 839) "the simple node and link model is just not rich and complete enough to support the information representation, management, and presentation tasks required by many applications." According to Maybury (1992, p. 75), the key to overcoming this limitation is the notion that intelligent interfaces "go beyond traditional hypermedia or hypertext environments in that they process input and generate output in an 'intelligent' or knowledge-based manner."

Other researchers offer IM-related observations concerned with object association enhancements and their importance. Coyne (1990, p. 207) believes that

... the associations that one user brings to a set of data objects may be different than the associations another user may bring to the same set of objects. Such software would permit the same objects to be linked differently by different users.

Short (1992, p. 12) indicates that "when applied to non-text media as well as text, the use of hyper links between media ‘objects’ offers limitless potential for information technology." Not only can a variety of media types be accessed at electronic speed, but MM computers enable nonsequential access to non-print media that previously was available only in a linear manner. With an IM system, intelligent interfaces and customized user associative links to a variety of media become functional realities.

In effect, the described IM implementation is being accomplished by "intelligent agent" technology. These agents serve users to filter, identify, and display user-specific data, information, or knowledge. The topic of intelligent agents is beyond the scope of this chapter and is omitted from further discussion.

2.2. INTEGRATION ADVANTAGES

The emerging fields of independent, computerized ES and MM exist in various stages of commercial application viability, with a growing number of interesting applications in each field since the mid-1980s. Although these technologies have developed separately, they are related conceptually. Both involve the transfer of knowledge and learning, but they do so from two different perspectives. A primary application of ES provides users with advice based on accumulated knowledge; MM provides an improved presentation of information. Thus, these two technologies have the potential to complement each other and, when combined in the same application, to overcome inherent individual system limitations.

The merger of ES and MM provides an unparalleled impact on the presentation of advisory or training expertise. As is now generally acknowledged, interest, attention, and the retention rate of the audience grows as the number of media forms presented increases. In general, adding MM to the development and use of ES brings many benefits, ranging from the increase of productivity during system development to a better acceptance of the system by the user. More specifically, according to Minsky (1986), at least two media forms are needed for learning to take place.

While HM creates a different kind of open, interactive experience for users, it also presents new problems for system designers who have been burdened by the need for better tools and increased capabilities. Developers have an overriding need for an effective and efficient means of linking information in the MM database. Some investigators believe that the solution to this problem and the ultimate success of HM systems will be dependent on ES technology; for example, the labor-intensive linking, association, and integration required by active HM could be performed by an ES tailored to a specific application domain. By adding knowledge-based control structures to HM systems, not only are designer problems reduced but more robust computer-aided instruction, CAD, CASE, cooperative authoring, and groupware systems are possible.

The author supports the view that greatly improved MM information management is needed and possible. Several investigators with a dominant ES orientation believe that as the two technologies are integrated, there is a greatly expanded potential for interactive MM application. Others who are more MM oriented have addressed the need for more intelligent integrated MM systems. Various ES and MM orientations and system integration models are suggested, depending on user needs. Such integrations have the potential to create new and innovative applications. They may also increase the effectiveness and efficiency of existing applications.

Another way of understanding integration advantages is to consider the pairwise synergy possible between ES and various media forms. An analysis is identified in Table 1, and as indicated, synergistic combinations exist that offer interesting and enhancing possibilities. Of course, combinations of three or more variables are possible and likely when integrated systems are used to their full potential.

This background section has provided an overview of media technologies, definitions of terms, and an identification of integration advantages. Throughout the remainder of this chapter, MM is used in its generic form to identify the use of multiple static and dynamic media forms; however, the terms HM and IM are used for specific discussion where appropriate. The following section provides identification and discussion of integration models, including software architectures and integration orientations, and describes an evolution of system integration models.

3. INTEGRATION MODELS

3.1. SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURES

Synergistic integration of ES and MM technologies requires architectural designs that offer advantages over conventional systems. Figure 2 illustrates a continuum of software architecture possibilities. They are (1) stand-alone, (2) translational, (3) loose coupling, (4) tight coupling, and (5) full integration. Table 2 identifies the level of integration and predominant features, and it summarizes advantages and disadvantages of these software design integration variations. The following discussion briefly describes the predominant features of these software architectures.


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