Theories
Dual Coding Theory
People have separate channels for processing verbal and visual material (Dual Coding Theory) -> Integrate visual materials (graphics, animation, videos…) to enhance information processing. Video explaining the theory
Cognitive Load Theory
People can process only small amounts of material in each channel at any one time (Limited capacity) -> Remove extraneous/irrelevant content to reduce cognitive load
Meaningful learning occurs when learners engage in appropriate cognitive processing during learning (e.g., attending to relevant material, organizing it into a coherent representation, and integrating it with relevant prior knowledge) ->Structure learning content in a way that stimulates recall of prior knowledge and supports new knowledge construction.
Principles
People learn better when extraneous words, pictures and sounds are excluded rather than included.
People learn better when cues that highlight the organization of the essential material are added.
People learn better from graphics and narration than from graphics, narration and on-screen text.
People learn better when corresponding words and pictures are presented near rather than far from each other on the page or screen.
People learn better when corresponding words and pictures are presented simultaneously rather than successively.
People learn better from a multimedia lesson is presented in user-paced segments rather than as a continuous unit.
People learn better from a multimedia lesson when they know the names and characteristics of the main concepts.
People learn better from graphics and narrations than from animation and on-screen text.
People learn better from multimedia lessons when words are in conversational style rather than formal style.
People learn better when the narration in multimedia lessons is spoken in a friendly human voice rather than a machine voice.
People learn better from words and pictures than from words Alone.
People do not necessarily learn better from a multimedia lesson when the speaker’s image is added to the screen