Interactive multimedia combines the storage and retrieval capabilities of computer database technology with advanced tools for viewing and manipulating these materials. Interactive multimedia is defined by three criteria:

	Interactive Multimedia is any package of materials that includes some combination of texts, graphics, still images, animation, video, and audio.
	These materials are packaged, integrated, and linked together in some way that offers users the ability to browse, navigate and analyze these materials through various searching and indexing features, as well as the capacity to annotate or personalize these materials.
	Interactive multimedia is always "reader-centered." In interactive multimedia, the reader controls the experience of reading the material by being able to select among multiple choices, choosing unique paths and sequences through the materials. One of the key features of interactive multimedia is the ability to navigate through material in whatever ways are most meaningful for individual users.