Beyond Hypermedia: CCNTML IRIS Project

I chose to look at the IRIS project because the description on the project portfolio page looked interesting.

"IRIS is a web site that presents case-based teaching modules that cover the use of remote sensing techniques for the identification and monitoring of environmental change with critical applications to solving problems in climate, health, and disaster management."

Once I got to the site, I was mostly confused.  I understand that without an instructor providing guidance and context it might be hard to follow (the people that run the project state that these are used by them in instructional settings).  I still don't quite understand the organization of material.  Perhaps the most annoying thing is that on the front page there is a message saying to "watch the screencast tutorial to get started" but the screencast is over 45 minutes long!

If anything, from an intentional standpoint the site hits nearly every aspect of hypermedia design we looked at in this course: web page design, css, video, images, interactive elements.  This particular site, though, does not seem to be able to achieve any teaching potential without the aid of an instructor. Or, maybe I should just watch the 45 minute video.