Usage of OSS in Multimedia Courses

Abstract

The paper will share the experience of using the Open Source Software (OSS) in teaching and learning multimedia technology in an open and distance learning environment. OSS has been introduced because of costing, technology and legal implication factors in which these aspects assists in reducing the digital divide gap among learners particularly in rural area. Three multimedia courses namely Audio Technology in Multimedia, Video Technology in Multimedia and 3D Animation had adapted the use of the Open Source Software (OSS). Audacity, Kino and Blender are the software integrated in the multimedia courses. The institution had integrated these multimedia software to its own LiveCD which was developed on Ubuntu platform. Issues and challenges such as the OSS function capability, comparison of OSS and proprietary software, costing, tutors expertise, technology variety and mindset change among instructors and learners will be discussed in this paper. // Paper ID 302