As one can see, the use of computers as mindtools has implications for the design of a multimedia curricula. Students should be taught suites of software that will be used as tools so they can create their own knowledge structures. Notice the shift in roles, student control, active engagement, and creativity should be all conscious aspects of the curricula. The following are Nelson and Palumbos explanations of the three areas. The emphasis is on tours to assure viewing of critical information.
Users follow links established by authors.
Knowledge is distributed between links and nodes. Most educational multimedia use to the present has been of the knowledge presentation or especially the knowledge representation types. Nelson and Palumbo mention the need for multimedia authors to empower the user to be able to create their own links and other representations thus actively constructing their own knowledge. This knowledge construction is central to the thesis of this paper, learners should be able to engage in constructive mental activity when they encounter new information. Multimedia can provide a vehicle for presentation of such newly constructed knowledge.