| This PDE examines the evolution of computer technologies as they relate to the teaching and learning in several academic disciplines with a focus on international business education. Multimedia technology, as the most recent technological advance, was examined in several academic institutions to discover the relevance of this technology to the teaching of international business subjects. The PDE is in two parts; the first part is the field research, the findings and the conclusions, and the second part is the authors experience and results of authoring a multimedia presentation.;The conclusions fall into three broad categories, (1) advice to multimedia vendors, (2) advice to multimedia users in higher education and (3) comments on the future of multimedia in international business education. These conclusions comprise the common themes expressed in the interviews and are in support of the answer to the statement of the problem. The answer to the question of "should more colleges and universities take advantage of multimedia in international business education?" is yes. Shining through all of the interviews with faulty, staff and students was the appreciation of the teaching and learning power of multimedia, but also the frustrations of limited access and non-user friendliness of the technology.;The most significant finding in category one is the requirement for multimedia vendors to lower the cost of multimedia technology to allow more users access to the inherent teaching and learning power of multimedia. Also, off-the-shelf multimedia products must be increased to facilitate the use of multimedia by users who do not care to author their own products. At the same time, authoring software must become more user-friendly to accommodate those users who do care to author their own products.;In category two, the most significant finding is that users have developed unrealistic expectations of the ease of use of the technology, especially in the inclusion of full-motion video into their products.;In category three, the most significant finding is, relative to other academic disciplines, the lack of activity in using multimedia in international business education. Suggestions on the use of multimedia in international business education are discussed with emphasis on the cross-cultural component. (Abstract shortened by UMI.). |
