Multimedia CD-ROM Project:
Stuttering Therapy and Self-Help
Manfred Fitzner
Modern IT- technology permits a new variety of presentation
Modern IT technology facilitates multimedia documentation and presentation of standard information. Digital video-, sound-, graphic- and text files allow a multichannel presentation and therefore warrant an appealing and comprehensive information supply.
The extensive storage space of a CD-ROM (650 MB) may accomodate about 60 minutes of video material, 10 hours of sound data, 1.000 graphics or up to 100.000 text files. This allows a large-scale compilation of information based on different media. A fast access to different kinds of digitized data secures the smooth presentation of the required information. Digitized data (video, sound, graphics and text) can be accessed in seconds and they can be shown simultaneously or subsequently.
History
At the 4th World Congress of People Who Stutter in Sweden in1995, the ISA team agreed on the need of a CD-ROM on stuttering. If the wealth of information on stuttering and self-help was compiled on one CD, then this comprehensive information could be presented in a fresh and interesting way.
The idea inspired the realization of a multimedia-project, starting at the beginning of 1996. On the ELSA-seminar in Cologne in 1996, a possible outcome had already been presented. The Bundesvereinigung Stotterer-Selbsthilfe (The German Stutterer´s self-help association) was also very interested in an informational CD-ROM containing compiled material on stuttering.
In 1998, I was studying a full time multimedia course for one year together with two more members of the Berlin Stutterers´ self- help group. During this time we designed a multimedia CD-ROM in a project which went on for 3 months. As we could choose our topic freely, we quite naturally decided on the subject of stuttering. We were a team of 3 stutterers and a fluent speaking person.
Concept
At the outset, we developed a concept for the CD-ROM. The subjects covered by the CD had to be chosen and it was therefore necessary to first define the user group. We decided that our main user group were "newcomers". The CD-ROM would be designed to give a broad overview of information for interested people who have never before looked into the matter of stuttering. We did not plan an "insider CD" which meant that single subject matters would not be shown in detail.
We outlined a flow chart which directs the program´s links and we roughly fixed the contents.
Research: material collection and screening
I had started to collect information material on stuttering as early as 1996. Thus, over the time a big pool of books, brochures, leaflets, web sites, videos and tv recordings had piled in my bookcase. It was therefore essential for us to screen all these various information and to pick the bits and pieces useful for the determined subjects.
Having an idea on what material was available, we started to refine the contents of our conception.
The Flow Chart
We divided the whole complex into six information sets. Each set again contained several subordinates. Additionally, we listed the available material for the respective sets. This flow chart proved an essential support in the production phase.
As we now arrived at a structured flow chart, design aspects were discussed. We agreed that buttons would always be placed in the lower right corner of the screen page in order to simplify program operation. Finally, we gathered suggestions on screen designs for the respective information fields. Our conception was then completed by a timing schedule. The working time was set for every module, allowing for any setbacks that may occur and a testing phase.
Production
The various jobs were shared between the team members according to their respective specialization areas. The following tasks had to be accomplished:
We met regularly to compare the state of affairs.
Technical requirements
The following hardware components are required:
The following software programs are suggested:
Employment
The CD-ROM will be distributed as a new source of information by the Bundesvereinigung (German association). It will serve as a comprehensive guide on stuttering. On congresses or fairs it may be used for demonstrations. The CD has already been presented to a broad audience at the German Annual Stuttering Congress in 1998. People were highly interested in the CD. Especially young people enjoyed the new and appealing access to information on stuttering. Therapists and logopedics alike were very responsive to the new media solution. Some mentioned the wish to show the CD-ROM in their waiting rooms.
Expenses
The costs of CD-ROM production cannot be estimated in general, yet they often range between 10.000 and 50.000 DM. The costs wholly depend on the individual range of contents, working effort, used media and number of copies. Costs for hardware supply and software licenses must be taken into account. It might also be necessary to buy copyrights for films and sounds. Protected sounds must be licensed by the responsible authorities.
Media production costs depend mainly on the demanded number of copies. The resulting costs per CD drop with an increasing number of copies. With a production rate of 500, a CD is charged 5 DM, with a rate of 1.000 it is sold at
3 DM.