Interactive Multimedia Interactivity is amount of control the user has over the presentation of information. The user controls only the pace. A programmed branching program is one in which the user has some control over the sequence of presentation by selecting from a group of choices such as from a main menu. The author still maintains the control of deciding what to include in the choices available at any point in the program. Hypermedia can be thought of as a web of interrelated information in which the user is in almost complete control of the pace, sequence and content of the presentation.
Links provide for random access of information.
Its power to present information in ways not previously possible and its integration of resources, allow for the creation of rich learning environments. In the past, a teacher or student might have to consult many sources and use several media to access the needed information. By integrating media and utilizing hypermedia we are able to create user controlled, information on-demand learning environments. Problems occur because of poorly designed programs, resistance to change within organizations, and the lack of technology on which to run multimedia software. As technology costs come down, designers become better at producing programs, and users become more familiar with using multimedia, we will see a growing acceptance of it in educational settings.