Applying the Modality Principle Chapters 6 1
Media Element Principles of E-Learning 1. Multimedia 2. Contiguity 3. Modality 4. Coherence 5. Redundancy 6. Personalization
Modality Principle Which is better for student learning? A. Spoken narration & animation B. On-screen text & animation Example: Verbal description of lightning process is presented either in audio or text
“As the air in this updraft cools, water vapor condenses into water droplets and forms a cloud.” Words as Narration As the air in this updraft cools, water vapor condenses into water droplets and forms a cloud. Words as On-Screen Text
Modality effect: People learn better when words are presented as narration (dark bars) rather than as on-screen text (white bars) Percent correct Animation with narration Animation with text
Modality Principle Which is better for student learning? A. Spoken narration & animation B. On-screen text & animation Example: Verbal description of lightning process is presented either in audio or text A. Spoken narration & animation Why? Presenting text & animation at the same time can overload visual working memory & leaves auditory working memory unused.
Working Memory Explanation of Modality When visual information is being explained, better to present words as audio narration than onscreen text
Evidence for Modality Tested in variety of settings w/ large effect sizes Interactive environments High school classroom environments Multiple domains Eye-tracking studies Most beneficial for: Less skilled learners When material is complex When material is fast-paced and/or cannot be controlled by learner
Exceptions to the Modality Principle On-screen text + narration when: Technical terms, vocabulary, equations Giving directions so learners can refer back Some redundancy is desirable No narration is acceptable when: Pace of material can be controlled by learner Material is easy There is only textual information and no visuals
Which principles are being applied? 10
Example: How a Bicycle Pump Works Explained with audio alone Explained with audio & graphics Which principle(s) apply? 11
Example: How Brakes Work Explained with words alone 12 Explained with words & graphics Which principles apply?
Which of the principles we have discussed so far might depend on results of a CTA? Multimedia? Contiguity? Modality? 18
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Example Animation
Muscle Contractions
Support for Design Principles Many design principles proposed – Too few have theoretical rationales – Even fewer have been validated in multiple replicated studies Mayer ’ s work is great example – Principles in book don ’ t cover every issue – But, are great examples of kind of theoretical & experiment support that is needed for principles