UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT - EXPLORING THE SOLAR SYSTEM

LAU PUNG WEE

FSAS 2002 58

MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT - EXPLORING THE SOLAR SYSTEM

By

LAU PUNG WEE

Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Puh·a Malaysia, in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the

Degree of Master of Science

Novembe.· 2002

Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate ofUniversiti Putra Malaysia in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science

Chairman:

Faculty:

MULTIMEDIA SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT - EXPLORING THE SOLAR SYSTEM

By

LAU PUNG WEE

November 2002

Dr. Zaidan Abdul Wahab

Science and Environmental Studies

The developed encyclopedia-oriented multimedia software uses English Language

as the main language. The main purpose of this project is to develop multimedia

encyclopedia software in astrophysics to provide reference materials and attract

people to study about astrophysics in order to increase their knowledge through the

multimedia technology. The project target groups are the students ranging from the

secondary to university levels and the public users. This project is very important

just because our Malaysian Society are lack of knowledge about astrophysics and

the problems in learning the astrophysics concepts could be reduced by using the

multimedia technology. The various software's used to develop the multimedia

software are Macromedia Director, Macromedia Flash, Adobe Photoshop,

Photolmpact, Corel Draw, 3D Studio Max, Adobe Premiere and SoundForge. The

developed multimedia software was made up of six basic parts: History Of

Astronomy, Exploring The Sk)" The Solar System, Astronomical Tools,

Astronomical Quiz and Astronomical Experts. The developed multimedia software

contains the animation, graphic. audio, video and text, which make the learning

2

process more effective. This kind of multimedia-learning environment can improve

the users understanding and prevent the misconception of astrophysics concepts.

Hopefully, the developed multimedia software can serve as an interactive learning

material to the Malaysian society to transform the Malaysian society into a

knowledge-based society by the year 2020.

3

Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi keperluan untuk ijazah Master Sains

PEMBANGUNAN PERI SIAN MULTIMEDIA - PENEROKAAN SISTEM SURIA

Oleh

LAUPUNG WEE

November 2002

Pengerusi: Dr. Zaidan Abdul Wahab

Fakulti: Sains dan Pengajian Alam Sekitar

Perisian multimedia yang dibangunkan adalah direkabentuk dengan

berorientasikan ensiklopedia dan menggunakan Bahasa Inggeris sebagai bahasa

pengantar. Tujuan utama bagi projek ini adalah untuk membangunkan perisian

multimedia ensiklopedia yang bertindak sebagai bahan rujukan yang dapat menarik

perhatian orang ramai untuk mempelajari fizik astronomi bagi mempertingkatkan

ilmu pengetahuan mereka melalui teknologi multimedia Golongan sasaran projek

adalah daripada pelajar peringkat sekolah menengah sehingga peringkat universiti

dan juga orang ramai. Projek ini sangat penting memandangkan masyarakat

Malaysia kekurangan ilmu pengetahuan tentang fizik astronorni dan masalah dalam

pembelajaran konsep fizik astronomi ini dapat dikurangkan melalui teknologi

multimedia Antara perisian-perisian yang digunakan untuk membangunkan

perisian multimedia ini adalah Macromedia Director, Macromedia Flash, Adobe

Photoshop, Photolmpact, Corel Draw, 3D Studio Max, Adobe Premiere dan

SoundForge. Perisian multimedia yang dibangunkan terdiri daripada enam

bahagian iaitu Sejarah Astronomi, Peninjauan Langit, Sistem Suria, Peralatan-

peralatan Astronomi, Kuiz Astronomi dan Pakar-pakar Astronomi. Setiap paparan

4

dalam penslan multImedIa yang dlbangunkan mempunyru penerangan arumasI,

grafik, audIo, vIdeo dan teks yang menJadikan proses pembelaJaran leblh berkesan

PersekItaran pembel�laran multImedIa 1m dapat mempertmgkatkan kefahaman

pengguna dan mengelakkan rmskonsepsi terhadap kosep fiZlk astrononn Maka

adalah dIharapkan penslan multImedIa yang dlbangunkan dapat dljadlkan sebagru

satu bahan pembelaJaran mteraktlf oleh masyarakat MalaYSIa bagI menghasdkan

masyarakat MalaysIa yang bermaklumat pada tahun 2020

5

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to my project supervisor,

Dr. Zaidan Abdul Wahab, who contributed his knowledge, invaluable advice,

suggestions, ideas, endless encouragement and also constructive criticism to

complete this project paper.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to all

those who have rendered their help directly or indirectly in one way or another,

especially to my Thesis Supervisory Committee members: Assoc. Professor Dr.

Sidek Haji Abdul Aziz and Assoc. Professor Dr. Zainal Abidin Sulaiman, Mr. Looi

K. K. , my family and all of my friends especially Lee Shau Yee who act as my

project narrator.

Finally, I wish to extend my utmost gratitude to each and everyone in the Faculty

of Science and Environmental Studies, Physics Department and also Library of

Universiti Putra Malaysia for their invaluable support, cooperation and service.

6

I certify that an Examination Committee met on 29th November 2002 to conduct the final examination of Lau Pung Wee on his Master of Science thesis entitled "Multimedia Software Development - Exploring The Solar System" in accordance with Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Act 1980 and Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Regulations 1981. The Committee recommends that the candidate be awarded the relevant degree. The Committee Members for the candidate are as follows:

ISMAIL ABDULLAH, Ph.D. Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman)

ZAIDAN ABDUL WAHAB, Ph.D� Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)

SIDEK HAJI ABDUL AZIZ, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Faculty of Science and Environmental. Studies Universiti P utra Malaysia (Member)

ZAINAL ABIDIN SULAIMAN, Ph.D. Associate Professor Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)

·� ...... ...."HER MOHAMAD RAMADILI, Ph.D. Professor/Deputy Dean, School of Graduate Studies. Universiti Futra Malaysia

7

This thesis submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia has been accepted as fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. The members of the Supervisory Committee are as follows:

ZAIDAN ABDUL WAHAB, Ph.D. Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman)

SIDEK HAJI ABDUL AZIZ, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)

ZAINAL ABIDIN SULAlMAN, Ph.D. Associate Professor Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member)

8

AINI IDERIS, Ph.D. Professor/Dean, School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Date: 1 3 MAR ?fln3

DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the thesis is based on my original work except for quotations and citations, which have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submitted for any other degree at UPM or other institutions.

9

(LAU PUNG WEE)

Date: II f ' , 2.00 �

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ABSTRACT 2 ABSTRAK 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 6 APPROVAL SHEETS 7 DECLARATION FORM 9 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 0 LIST OF TABLES 1 3 LIST OF FIGURES 1 4 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 1 6

CHAPTER

1 INTRODUCTION 1 7 1 . 1 Introduction 1 7 1 .2 Project Background 1 9 1 .3 Multimedia 20 1 .4 Astrophysics 21 1 .5 Solar System 21 1 .6 The Aim of the Project 22 1. 7 Objectives 22 1 . 8 Project Target Group 23

2 LITERATURE REVIEW 24 2.1 What is Multimedia? 24 2.2 Multimedia Components 27

2.2.1 Text 27 2.2.2 Graphic 28 2.2.3 Animation 29 2.2.4 Video 30 2.2.5 Audio 30

2.3 Multimedia in Education 3 1 2.4 Educational Theory and Multimedia 3 1

2.4. l Objectivism 32 2.4.2 Constructivism 33

2.5 Levels of Interactivity 39 2.5 . 1 Level I 40 2.5 .2 Level II 40 2.5.3 Level III 40 2.5.4 Level IV 4 1 2.5 .5 Reactive 4 1 2.5 .6 Proactive 42 2.5.7 Mutual 42

2.6 Functions of Interactiyity 42

1 0

2 6 1 ConfirmatIOn 42 2 6 2 Pacmg 43 2 6 3 Inqwry 43 2 6 4 NavigatIon 43 2 6 5 ElaboratIon 43

2 7 Genres of Educanonal MuhlmedIa 45 271 Encyclopedias 45 2 72 Electromc Books 46 2 73 Databases 46 274 SImulatIons 46 2 75 Declslon-makmg Slull Development Programmes 47 2 76 InstructIOnal Games 47 2 77 MultImedIa LibrarIes 47

2 8 Value of MultimedIa for EducatIOn 48 2 8 1 MIxed MedIa 48 2 8 2 User Control 48 2 8 3 SImulatIOn and VisualizatIOn 49 2 8 4 Different Learmng Styles 49 2 8 5 LInk between HypermedIa and Human Mmd 49 2 8 6 Real World 50 2 8 7 ViSUal Learmng 50

2 8 71 Clanfy ThinkIng 50 2 8 72 Remforce Understandmg 5 1 2 8 73 Integrate New Knowledge 51 2 8 74 IdentIfy Mlsconceptlons 5 1

2 9 Bnef Revlew of The EXlstmg CommercIal MultimedIa Software 5 1

3 METHODOLOGY 53 3 1 Planmng 53 3 2 Hardware for MultImedIa Development 55 3 3 Software for MultImedia Development 55

3 3 1 Authonng Tool 55 3 3 2 IllustratIOn Tool 56 3 3 3 Image EdIting Tool 56

3 3 3 1 Adobe Photoshop 6 0 56 3 3 3 2 PhotoImpact 7 0 57

3 3 4 ArumatIon Tool 58 3 3 41 3-D StudIO Max 3 0 58 3 3 4 2 Macromedla Flash 5 0 59

3 3 5 AudIO Edltmg Tool 59 3 3 6 Video Edltmg Tool 60

3 4 Software Process Model 60 3 4 1 Software Reqwrement AnalYSIS 61 3 4 2 Design 6 1 3 4 3 ImplementatIOn 62 3 4 4 Testmg 62

11

3.5 Script Wr iting 63 3.6 M aterial F indin g 63 3.7 M edia M at erial Authoring 64

3.7.1 Illust rati on 64 3.7.2 Image Edit ing 65 3.7.3 Animati on 67 3.7.4 Audio Editing 68 3.7.5 Video Editing 69 3.7.6 Authoring 71

3.8 Storing the Softwar e in to Compact D isc 76

4 RESUL TS AND D ISCUSSION 77 4.1 Int ro duction 77 4.2 History of Ast ronomy 79 4.3 Expl or ing the S1.)' 81

4.3.1 The Ph ases of the M oon 81 4.3.2 Eclipses 82 4.3.3 Tides 83 4.3.4 Aurora 85 4.3.5 M eteor Showers 86

4.4 The Solar Syst em 87 4.5 Astronomical Tools 92 4.6 Astronomical Q uiz 95 4.7 Ast ronomical Expert 96

5 CON CL USION 97 5.1 Conclusion 97 5.2 Research Limitations 98

5.2.1 Time L imitation 98 5.2.2 L imit at ion of Skill using th e Mult imedia Software 98 5.2.3 L imitat ion of Experience 99

5.3 Recommendat ions fo r the F ut ure P roj ect 99

REF EREN CES 100 APP END ICES 102 B IOD ATA OF THE AUTHO R 150

]2

LIST OF TABLES

Page

1. Characteristics of the ideal teaching-l earnin g process 35

2. Student and teacher s per spectives of the control featur es to be avail abl e in a n ideal inter active mul timedia progra mme 37

3. Types of inter acti ve events at each fu nctional l evel of interaction

13

44

LIST OF FIGURES

Page

1 CharactenstIcs of the Ideal teachmg-Iearnmg process 36

2 Multunedla software development process 54

3 Lmear SequentIal Model 61

4 Total solar echpse 65

5 RadIO telescopes 66

6 Solar System 68

7 Sample of audIo edItmg process worksheet 69

8 Sample of VIdeo edItmg process worksheet 71

9 Sample of Macromedla DIrector worksheet 73

10 Sample of authonng process worksheet 74

11 Lmgo scnpt m scnpt WIndow 74

12 ActIonScnpt for Astronomlcal Qmz 75

13 AstronOmIcal QUIZ 76

14 Structure of the multImedIa software 78

15 Screen show on History of Astronomy 80

16 Edmund Halley 80

17 Screen show the phase Waxmg Crescent of the Moon 82

18 Screen show on part of the ammatIon for eclIpse phenomenon 83

19 Neap tIdes 84

20 Aurora 85

21 Meteor Showers 86

22 Screen show on Solar System 88

14

23. Planetary Motion of the planets around the Sun 89

24. Planet Jupiter 89

25. Profile of planet Jupiter 90

26. Structure of planet Jupiter 90

27. 10 as a satellite of planet Jupiter 91

28. Mission to planet Jupiter 91

29. Binocular 93

30. Reflector telescope 94

31. Constellations Map 94

32. Astronomical Quiz 95

33. Astronomical Expert 96

34. Geometry of solar eclipses 111

35. Solar eclipse 112

36. Southern aurora from the Space Shuttle Endeavor 113

37. Northern aurora over Lake Superior 113

38. Northern aurora over Circle, Alaska 113

15

aVI

bmp

CD

CDR

exe

gIf

MSC

UPM

wav

3-D

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

VIdeo for Wmdows

BItmap

Compact DISC

FIle format for CorelDraw

FIle format for the software that can be execute mdependently WIthOut support from other software's

Grapluc mterchange format

Multimedia Super Comdor

UmverslU Putra MalaysIa

AudIO file for Wmdows

Three DImensIOns

16

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

In the early 1990s. manufacturers began producmg mexpenslve CD-ROM dnves

that could access more than 650 megabytes of data from a smgle dISC TIns

development started a mu1tunedla revolutIOn that may contmue for decades The

term multImedIa encompasses the computer's abIht) to merge sounds, VIdeo, text,

mUSIC," anImatIOns� charts. map� etc_� mto colorful� mteractIve presentatIOns, a

busmess advertIsmg camprugn. or even a space-war arcade game

MultImedIa IS a computer technology that combmes text, audIO, VIdeo and

aIllmatIOn MultImedIa can easIly be applIed to a large quantIty of mformatIOn

resources, such as anImated and graphIcal mdustnal trrumng manuals, dIctIOnanes,

and encyclopedIas Therefore. multImedIa can be used WIdely m the fields of

commumcatIon, educatIOn, and entertamment

At the same time, MalaySIa welcomes the advent of the Information Age With ItS

VISIOn of a new world order where mformatIon, Ideas, people, goods and servIces

move across borders m the most cost-effective and hberal ways

1 7

WIth the comparues, CapItal, consumers, commumcatIOns and cultures becommg

truly global, new approaches and attItudes to busmess are reqUIred

MalaYSIa upholds the VIrtues of the new world order, behevmg that the world IS

movmg collectIvely towards a "century of the world" - a century of worldWlde

peace and shared prospenty among natIOns

MalaysIa has chosen to be open and pragmatIC m dealmg WIth change, and IS

cormmtted to workmg WIth other countnes to encourage creatIVIty, mnovatIOn and

entrepreneurshIp

As a first step, MalaySIa has created the MultImedIa Super Comdor (MSC) - the

world's first of ItS kmd and a world-class act to help mternatIonal companIes to test

the hrmts of technology and to prepare themselves for the future The MSC WIll

also accelerate MalaysIa's entIy mto the InformatIon Age, and eventually bnngmg

about the actualIzatIon of VISIon 2020

The MSC WIll bnng together, for the first tIme ever, an mtegrated enVIronment

WIth all the uruque elements and attnbutes necessary to create the perfect global

multImedIa enVlfonment

MSC IS a stretch of Greenfield "comdor", 1 5 lulometers WIde and 50 kIlometers

long, that starts from the Kuala Lumpur CIty Center (KLCC), an mtelhgent

1 8

precinct which houses the world's tallest buildings - down south to the site of the

region's largest international airport, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport

(KLIA) which was launched on the 27th June 1998.

Two of the world's first Smart Cities are being developed in the MSC: Putrajaya,

the new seat for the government and administrative capital of Malaysia where the

concept of electronic government will be introduced; and CybeIjaya, an intelligent

city with multimedia industries, research and development centers, the Multimedia

University and operational headquarters for multinational companies that wish to

direct their worldwide manufacturing and trading activities using multimedia

technology.

1 .2 Project Background

One of the main objectives of creating the Multimedia Super Corridors is to

transform the Malaysian society into a knowledge-based society by the year 2020.

Therefore, multimedia is one of the technology fields that have to be developed in

realizing the applications of the Multimedia Super Corridor.

Multimedia encyclopedia software that had been developed and packaged into the

CD-ROM disc is one of the methods that could prepare the reference materials for

the users, especially for the home users. Multimedia presentation that includes

te>..1s, audios, graphics, videos and animations will provide a more attractive and

interesting learning environment. Besides, multimedia is easier to be manipulated

19

and user-friendly, thus improving the user's learning efficiency. The multimedia­

learning environment will also improve the users understanding and prevent the

misconception of physics concepts.

In general, most Malaysians lack the knowledge of astrophysics, such as how the

solar eclipse happen. Therefore, the topic "Exploring The Solar System" was

selected for this research with the aim to improve the knowledge of Malaysians

regarding to astrophysics. This research also aims to reduce any misconception of

the users regarding the phenomenon that happen in our Solar System.

1.3 Multimedia

Multimedia is the computer teclmology that combines text, audio, video, and

animated graphics. It provides easy access to large quantities of information, such

as industrial training manuals, dictionaries, and encyclopedias.

Multimedia is a robust tool for communicating ideas. By presenting words, sounds,

pictures, animation and film in an interactive way, multimedia allows us to choose

our own paths through information. The method is unlike reading a book or

watching television; in multimedia, we can control and decide which of the various

avenues we want to explore. For example, we can jump forward or backward, or

move from one point to another at will. It allows us to crawl around, touch things,

look at, hear and feel in a way that we had never experienced before. It takes texi

20

off our mind. By adding brilliant images with music, digital video and animation. it

can create a total interaction.

1.4 Astrophysics

Astrophysics is a branch of astronomy, mostly developed since 1960. It applies

chemical and physical knowledge to the study of celestial objects (the sun, the

moon, planets, stars, nebulas, comets, and meteors); discusses their formation,

evolution, composition, and evidence of radiation emission; uses telescopes on

land, in balloons, and in satelli1es; it also uses space probes to collect particles

from meteorites as sources of data.

1.5 Solar System

Solar System is the system consisting the Sun; the nine planets and their satellites;

the asteroids, comets, and meteoroids; and interplanetary dust and gas. The

dimensions of this system are. specified in terms of the mean distance from the

Earth to the Sun, called the astronomical unit (AU). One AU is 150 million km.

The most distant known planet, Pluto, has an orbit at 39.44 AU from the Sun. The

boundary between the solar system and interstellar space called the heliopause, is

located near 100 AU. The comets, however, achieve the greatest distance from the

Sun; they have highly eccentric orbits ranging out to 50,000 AU or more. The solar

system is the only planetary system known to exist.

2 1

1.6 The Aim of the Project

The aIm of the project IS to develop multimedia encyclopedia software in

astrophysics to provide reference materials for students ranging from the secondary

to university levels and to the public user through the multimedia technology. This

will help to transform the Malaysian society into a knowledge-based society by the

year 2020, which was stated in Vision 2020. The main purpose of this project is to

visualize the astrophysics concept in an interactive form to provide knowledge for

the public user.

1.7 Objectives

The objectives of this project are as follow:

(i) Develop multimedia encyclopedia software in astrophysics.

(ii) Provide reference materials, which attract the people to study about

astrophysics in order to increase their knowledge through the multimedia

technology.

(iii) Introduce astrophysics to the public.

(iv) Visualize the astrophysics concept in an interactive form to provide the

maximum understanding for the user.

22

1 .8 Project Target Group

Project target group are students ranging from the secondary to university levels

and the public users who wish to study about astrophysics in order to increase their

knowledge.

23

CHAPTER 2

LITERA TURE REVIEW

2.1 What is Multimedia?

Multlmedia computmg means dIfferent thmgs to dIfferent people To some, It IS

the thnll of computer games, to others, It IS a source of reference for any tOPIC

under the sun So. accordmg to Ax.elson and NIchols (1996), there are

probably as many defmItIOns of multImedia as there are technology-usmg

educators Here are a few defirunons, lets us dIscern the pomts of agreement as

well as the dIfferences

GayeskI (1993) gIVes us a relatIvely straightforward defirutIOn

MulTImedIa IS a class of computer-dnven mteraCTIve commumcatIOn

systems, whIch create, store, transmIt, and retneve textual, graphIc, and

audItory networks of mformaTIon

Ambron and Hooper (1990) have thIs to say

What IS "mulTImedIa"? It IS a colleCTIon of computer-center technolOgIes

that give a user the capabIlIty to access and manIpulate text, sound, and

Images Just as word-processmg programs today enable users to mtegrate

tex1 and graphIcs, multImedIa programs m the near future wIll enable users

to access not only lIbrarIes of te\.t documents but also storehouses of mUSIC,

24