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THE KEY CONCEPTS - AN OVERVIEW
[LISTEN TO A SUMMARY]
The talking head does not need the head. Although audio with video and in -person communication have more immediacy, audio, text and graphics gets you very close - and gives much more bang for the buck.
Some people learn better through reading, some through hearing. There are Multiple Intelligence types which should be considered. Auditory learners will not gain as much from a silent document.
Memory can function better with dual sensory input. Research has shown that when auditory and visual information work together they can enhance memory.
Media can create a sense of presence, of warmth, and when more than one sense is involved, a feeling of immersion. Virtual reality is the best example of this.
The medium can become a social actor and the voice gives social cues. We talk back to our devices, they're becoming 'virutal actors' in our lives and can easily set a personal tone.
There has been too little research on the use of audio on the web. Discovery Health, working with Audiobase, tested consumer reaction to audio enhanced pages, using a third party research firm and a panel of respondents, and found that consumers did prefer audio enhanced pages in a variety of contexts, such as quizzes, articles and animations. In particular they found that using a voice to assist visitors with site navigation was appreciated.
Thousands of Interactive Video Disc (IVD) and CD-ROM applications have proven that even saying something as seemingly obvious as "If you need help, click on Help" is useful. Focus groups have shown that user's biggest problems have to do with navigating through a site. The voice is a proven way to explain an interface to users. To guide them through the experience.
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