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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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)
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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.
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(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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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,
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