Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning TECM 4180 Dr. Lam
What is it? It’s a series of principles (rules) about multimedia presentation of information (anything with text, images, video, or animation) Each principle was tested to determine optimal learning conditions Rooted in cognitive psychology
The Three Assumptions Dual channel assumption Humans have separate channels for processing auditory and visual information 2. Limited capacity assumption Humans are limited in the amount information they can process in any given channel 3. Active learning assumption Learners actively engage by a) selecting relevant information, b) organizing information coherently, and c) connecting verbal and visual information
Multimedia Principle "People learn more deeply from words and pictures than from words alone"- (Mayer, 2001) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zA_19bHxEYg#t=1m05s
Modality Principle "Individuals learn and retain information better when instructional environments include auditory narration and animation rather than text and animation" - (Mayer, 2001) I call it the “closed caption” principle Rationale: one visual, one auditory is better than two visual components https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqF-aBtTBnY
Redundancy Principle "Individuals learn and retain information better when instructional environments include auditory narration and animation rather than on-screen text, narration and animation" - (Mayer, 2001) More is not better https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqF-aBtTBnY
Coherence Principle "Individuals learn and retain information better when instructional environments are free from extraneous words, pictures, or sounds" - (Mayer, 2001)
Spatial-Contiguity Principle "Individuals learn and retain information better when instructional environments where words and pictures (or narration and animation) are presented simultaneously in time and space” (Mayer, 2001)
Segmentation Principle "Individuals learn and retain information better when instructional environments where individuals experience concurrent narration and animation in short, user controlled segments rather than as a longer continuous presentation"- (Mayer, 2001) How can we accomplish this in a video tutorial?
Application Adhere to these principles in your video tutorials Many of these principles extend beyond multimedia learning and into any learning (even static) environment
Next Steps Before Class Monday Complete audience analysis worksheet – See “Resources” page of website for template Outline of Video Tutorial and script written Before Class Next Tuesday Filmed tutorial ready for post-production