Multimedia Learning Environment: Combining easier courseware production and new learning methods Thomas Dietinger, Hermann Maurer, Maja Pivec In this paper important facts that should be considered when using web based courseware in education are examined and an overview of important existing systems is given. Considering these experiences we have developed the prototype of an integrated General Networked Training and Learning Environment (GENTLE). The main features of GENTLE such as simplicity of usage, integration of new learning- and courseware creation methods are described in the main part of this paper. 1. Introduction The field of computer assisted learning has reached a new high in popularity due to the Web. A variety of different products trying to meet the needs and supporting of Web Based Training (WBT) exists. In contrast to the traditional classroom equipped with the blackboard and a piece of chalk (and perhaps a projector for transparencies) there is the electronic world with its challenges like virtual universities or virtual classrooms. And there is more and more courseware on the Web. The main question is how to develop computer-based learning materials (courseware). The classical Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) approach is primarily presentation based, with a hierarchically structured domain of topics and sub-topics. In the literature [2][13][21][22][23][26][32] many scientists have explained the disadvantages of early attempts like e.g. that the courseware is strictly bounded by subject matters and the presentation techniques make it difficult to alter the content of the courseware. Disadvantageous is also the fact that many question – answer dialogues must be