Evaluating television-linked computer software

Broadcasting organisations have considerable expertise in the evaluation of television and radio programmes, and U.K. broadcasters are held in particularly high esteem in this respect. They are, however, on rather less secure ground when it comes to multimedia resources which attempt to integrate broadcast and computer-based materials. The project described here was sponsored by the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) and was carried out in the West Midlands region of England during the summer of 1986. It was undertaken to develop guidelines for the evaluation of broadcast-linked software and to provide insights for the creators of new multimedia materials. The research focussed on two primary education packages, in the areas of mathematics and history respectively, produced by Independent Television Companies. Each package (television programmes and associated courseware) was evaluated in collaboration with a team of teachers from six different schools. The evaluation process lasted a full school term (3 months). Some details of the process are discussed. It was concluded that there was strong potential support for multimedia educational packages incorporating broadcast television, computer software and other media. This conclusion is related to the growing field of interactive videodisc.