Learning with Vince =)

A multimedia instructional message is a communication using words and pictures that is intended to promote learning.

For example, a multimedia instructional message in a book could include printed text and illustrations, whereas a multimedia instructional message on a computer could include narration and animation.

Examples of multimedia instructional messages include words and pictures intended to explain how lightning storms develop, how car braking systems works, and how a bicycle tyre pumps work.

Richard Mayer, p.21

Multimedia Learning

READ:
Mayer, Richard E. & Moreno, Roxana 2003, Nine Ways to Reduce Cognitive Load in Multimedia Learning in Educational Psychologist, 38 (1), pp43-52.
(PDF File in Subject Documents folder in UTSOnline)

7 Principles of Multimedia Design

1. Multimedia principle: Students learn better from words and pictures than from words alone.

2. Spatial Contiguity Principle: Students learn better when corresponding words and pictures are presented near rather than far from each other on the page or screen.

3. Temporal Contiguity Principle: Students learn better when corresponding words and pictures are presented simultaneously rather than successively.

4. Coherence Principle: Students learn better when extraneous words, pictures, and sounds are excluded rather than included.

5. Modality Principle: Students learn better from animation and narration than from animation and on-screen text.

6. Redundancy Principle: Students learn better from animation and narration than from animation, narration, and on-screen text.

7. Individual Differences Principle: Design effects are stronger for low-knowledge learners than for high-knowledge learners and for high-spatial learners rather than low-spatial learners.

Now consider your course and make notes where multimedia may be of value:

Consider the media elements in your design – use the questions above as a guideline if you are using animation, video or sound.

What are your recommendations?

Spatial Contiguity Principle allows the learners to learn better if the application link to the related context. Whilst the multimedia principle and temporal contiguity principle would enhance learning as interaction and a combination of images and written text simultaneously would help establish links to content.

Provided examples of multimedia elements you would recommend.

Providing resources sites and more detailed information and resources will aid in reference and developing the learners understanding of key concepts. Whilst podcasts, audio files (mp3’s) animations and narrations or role playing can further contribute to establishing links and interactivity.