Introduction to the issue of multimedia presentations: terminology, genesis, research status, and software characteristic

The chapter primarily provides a synthesis of knowledge in regard to multimedia presentations. The text includes terminological reflections on the concept of “multimedia presentation”, referring to the origins of this form of information dissemination. Additionally, it also attempts to classify popular computer programs for designing presentations. An analysis of the state of research demonstrates that publications on multimedia presentations are, for the most part, popular science works created by representatives of business, sales, and marketing, and tworks on this subject have been published in fits and starts. This chapter also discusses how authors define the term “multimedia presentation” and what the differences between a “presentation” and a “speech” are, pointing out that these terms are often used interchangeably. Additionally, it refers to the beginnings of information visualization, from which multimedia presentations originate. In the description of applications for preparing multimedia presentations, emphasis is placed on the most popular program for designing presentations – Microsoft PowerPoint. An original classification of tools for designing multimedia presentations is proposed based on the literature on the subject and heuristic analysis.