Clearing the Channels: Supporting learning by reducing confusion Week 5 posting by Sue Maunders For this week’s submission, I found a series of examples of points made in the Clark & Mayer reading from problematic submissions by my clients.

When more is not better Clark and Mayer suggest directing the learner’s attention with an arrow or color to draw the eye. I agree – and add that it is sometimes better to simplify the image so the mind has a fighting chance to process what it sees and get the intended message.

Look at what your image really says This image was part of a presentation about hazardous materials and how to respond to them safely. Most of the photo makes sense in this context, but what about Mr. Bermuda Shorts? Why is he okay, yet the others have to wear bio-suits and breathing apparatus? This is a terrific example of a confusing visual. What will the visual channel send to the brain for processing? The learner’s mind will get a very mixed message about safety precautions and not process it well.

Match audio and visual channels Clark and Mayer stress not overloading the memory by too much input, yet many courses have: Words to read Words being spoken Don’t make the learner have to shut out part of your message just to get the rest!

Use a “minimalist approach” to ease cognitive load or The bear can evoke the forest as well as a photo of a forest can – with much greater visual simplicity.

Create good “retrieval hooks” Creating practice exercises that simulate the use of new knowledge in an environment similar to the one in which that knowledge will eventually be used will help the learner remember it and be more able to transfer it to real-life situations.

Express simple ideas simply Which is easiest to use? or That’s all for this week!