Thinking in terms of three levels of interactivity
should help you understand the vocabulary and the uses of interactivity.
Low level
interactivity
The most basic level of interactivity is analogous
to a lecture where each audience member is able to set the pace of a presentation
in multiple media. The automated lecturer accepts no input from the audience
except when to turn the page to the next or previous topic.
In low level interactivity, the sequence of the
presentation is fixed and linear. The computer is used as an expensive
page turner. This form of interactivity is useful for teaching some types
of sequential topics.
Medium
level interactivity
A higher use of interactivity gives the end user
the responsibility for choosing from multiple paths through subject matter.
The computer merely responds to the user's choices without engaging in
dialog.
This level of interactivity is seen in reference
works such as multimedia encyclopedias. The encyclopedia does not teach
but provides an environment where a person can easily locate and manage
information.
High level
interactivity
In high level interactivity, an expert and an end-user
respond to each other via electronic dialog.
The program can present an electronic simulation
of an environment and prompt the user to respond to simulated conditions
with tools analogous to the controlling factors of real conditions in
an actual environment.
Data collected from the user need not be used for
"scoring" but it helps the program make judgements about what the user
understands and doesn't understand. The program logic determines the user's
individualized path through the environment. The program's calculations
of user performance determine what events take place within the environment.
High level interactivity is appropriate when the
user must master concepts and apply what is learned. Programs can be constructed
so that no additional form of instruction is needed. Testing is built
in.
The section above was inspired by but not copied
from Using Macromedia Authorware 3.5 by Robert Zielinski.
You can learn more about Robert Zielinski, his
book and his company at the Allen
Interactions website.