CSE 332: Multimedia Design and Development
Assignment #1: Compare The Analytical Engine and Univeral Computer

By next Monday, review the multimedia for The Analytical Engine and The Universal Computer (instructions below).
Write a 2-3 paper comparing these two titles.

• Go to the web site for The Analytical Engine.
  Go through content for a couple of chapters, one of which should be the chapter on Hardware.
(BTW, this book does come with a CD-ROM, but you will look at its content on the web.)

• Go to The Universal Computer, click on "Go to the multimedia demo," then select The Universal Computer, then select a chapter from the menu on the left, such as "Peeling the Onion: Computer Architecture" or "Operating Systems". Go through at least one chapter of content.
  Notes: The Universal Computer only works in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Sorry, no other browsers!
  Also, it makes extensive use of sound, so have access to speakers or plug in a headset before you start.

Here are some questions to consider while reviewing and comparing these two e-learning titles:

1. What is the target audience of each title?
2. What are the pedagogical goals of each piece, i.e., what are they trying to teach?
3. What are the marketing goals, i.e., what is the role of the multimedia to attract educators to buy the book and how effective is it?
4. What is the relationship between the book and the multimedia in each title?
5. What techniques do the two titles use to facilitate learning and how effective do you think are, for the targetted audience?
6. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each title, with respect to user interface design, use of different media, interactivity, and content?
7. How could one title be improved by learning from the other?
8. Estimate how much time (person-hours) it would take a team of three students to spend working on a chapter's worth of content in each title.

Also include a team project proposal description in this file. Include a tentative title and one paragraph description, subject matter, intended audience, and possible subject matter expert (teacher), and whether you’d like to pitch your idea in class next Tuesday.
I will review your comparison comments and we'll discuss them on Thursday, January 28, as well as your project ideas.