Evaluation Criteria for Educational Multimedia Systems

In this paper we describe a study concerning the criteria for the evaluation of multimedia systems to be used in educational contexts. This study has led to the production of an evaluation sheet by means of which teachers can be guided to weigh up the pros and cons of multimedia products for teaching and learning. The sheet has been tested with teachers of primary and secondary Italian schools and has proved to be useful in educational planning to evaluate the possibility of using CD-ROMs in an effective way for new kinds of educational activities integrated into the curricula. The sheet goes beyond the traditional interface and system evaluation, and encourages teachers to think about the advantages and disadvantages of specific multimedia systems for their disciplines, guiding them in the setting out of educational paths which stimulate students to acquire knowledge, to discuss critically and to cooperate among themselves.