• Barcode-driven Interactive Videodisc—Barcode wand reveals full-motion video segments, interactive branching, color graphics, and still images; lacks sophisticated levels of interaction; does not require a computer



• Compact Disc Read-Only Memory, CD-ROM—Operates like an audio compact disc player; includes multiple layers of information; provides full-motion video, audio, and still images; re quires sophisticated computer; limited to one-on-one or very small group use



• Compact Disc-lnteractive, CDI—Same as CD-ROM, but also offers student data or progress storage when linked to a computer; information inputted via a remote-control device; good video storage capability; neither the technology nor much educational software is readily available in schools yet

Before investing in expensive multimedia instructional technologies, teachers should ask these questions:

• How easy is it to use? Can students use the technology on their own? How much training will be required of teachers?



• Is it good for full-motion video, text, graphics, or other communication forms the teacher wants?



• Is the required computer platform affordable? What configuration of hardware does the technology require? Can we afford the proper configuration? What other software companies make use of that platform?



• Is compatible software available? Or is it at least in the process of being developed?



• Does the platform work in various instructional settings? Will it work in the regular classroom as well as in the school's computer lab?



• How sophisticated is the technology? Will students be challenged to interact with the system?



• Will it be obsolete by the time we acquire it? Will the technology be around in two or three years?