Edu-tainment: An effective source of learning

The DSP (Digital Signal Processor) chip is responsible for controlling the functions of the audio card. RAM on the sound card is used to hold blocks of digital audio data. Most sound cards support MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface). Sound cards also contain a small synthesiser for generating sounds (including musical instruments) which can be used by game software or other applications using sound.

External connections include a microphone input and a “line-level” input (from tape decks, stereos, etc.) which are controlled by the pre-amplifier (pre-amp) circuit. The pre-amp circuitry can mix several audio signals into one “mixed-down” signal. This mixing is done by software controlled “sliders” resembling an audio mixing board.

The output of the pre-amp is sent to an on-board power amplifier which is usually connected to external speakers. Typically, these internal power amplifiers are quite noisy and tend to distort this otherwise “clean” CD quality audio.

A superior alternative to using a noisy internal amplifier is to connect a separate power amplifier to the line-out plug (pre-amp output) on the sound card. This separate amp can then power an external set of quality speakers. This arrangement will deliver optimum sound quality and cost about the same as some “high-end” multimedia speakers with noisy internal amplifiers.

Watching the video: A colour video monitor of reasonable quality controlled by a video card with at least 1 MB of RAM will work well with even the most demanding multimedia applications. Typically, the limiting factors in how fast a system can display video information are the computer’s microprocessor speed and available RAM.

Enjoying Multimedia: Education software that also entertains (edu-tainment software) makes multimedia for computers an effective and stimulating source of learning. TV games that involve chasing a monster through a cave, for example, offers essentially no educational benefit to children. These TV games require a low level of mental activity and therefore teach basically nothing. However, edu-tainment software with a multimedia kit will challenge and educate the children’s minds in a fun way.

There is a tremendous amount of edu-tainment software available. This software allows children to become interactive by asking questions and requiring input from a mouse or keyboard. This interaction probes the minds of children, requiring them to think about what it is they are doing. For example, questions requiring the correct maths answer or correct spelling or a new word will allow a child to advance to the next level of learning. In this case, the child is clearly playing while simultaneously (and unknowingly) learning useful maths and reading skills.

Software for all ages includes encyclopedias, learning foreign languages, discovering dinosaurs, and countless others. Don’t let this clever learning tool pass you by; get a multimedia kit. The large amount of edu-tainment software available will more than pay for this investment. So get ready to have fun, get ready to learn, and get into multimedia!