Hyper Learning In Tertiary Institutions: The Role Of Multimedia

Abstract

The advent of internet has precipitated major and rapid technological changes th at have resulted in bloo ming business industries, competitive jo b markets. This has made the bulk of information and mo re so relevant information to be searched and retrieved at first instance. We are in an era where changes are inevitable. There is no end to the volume of information that society claims we need to possess. Each new day propels us a step further into a system where knowledge is a commodity. While there is progress in all aspects, the needs of the masses in the area of education should not be under-emphasized. How else can we transmit all this information, if not through education? Until recently, education institutions have merely been playing the official role of transmitting knowledge. Completing school or obtaining qualifications for the sake of "getting over with it" has been the primary focus of society. We have lost sight of the main purpose of education – to develop innovative, creative and probing minds. While the educational institutions of yesterday were built around the needs, idea s and resources of the past, today they are focusing on providing an atmosphere where effective learning can take place, not necessarily confined to the vicinities of education institutions. With the advent of technology and multimedia, we can gladly succumb to the delights of virtual education and bring learning into our homes, study at our own convenience and earn qualifications that hold in store a better future. Through the digital fusion of technologies like computing, television and telecommunication in virtual education, we have a powerful tool to assimilate knowledge and facilita te the teaching and learning process. Virtual education does not only make the education more convenient, it also provides the ability to control, store and extract whenever neede d, information in its various forms, tailored to suit the immediate needs of individuals . Utilizing all forms of communication like animatio n,graphs, music, vocals, images and graphics which involve the senses of sight and sound, virtua l education heightens an individual's awareness of the world around him and simultaneously caters tovarious learning styles employed by differen t individuals. With all of this, we are left with one very important choice, to harness this technology and be tter ourselves or refuse to accept such changes an d remain forever backward, while we watch the wor ld whiz past us.

Key Words: Hyper Learning, Multimedia, Internet, Tertiary Institutions