Saturday, December 7, 2013

How Effective is Multimedia Learning?


Multimedia instruction focuses on using technology with both words and pictures to promote and enhance learning.  "An instructional message is a communication that is intended to foster learning.  In presenting an instructional message to learners, instructional designers have two main formats available- words and pictures" (Mayer, 2009, p.6).  Words have been the traditional format in the form of lectures and books.  With the new technology, learning has shifted to the utilization of words and pictures, or multimedia.  So, does multimedia enhance learning?  Below is the link to a research article.  

Towards a New Generation of Multimedia Learning Research
After reading the article, what areas do you see multimedia being utilized in to make learning more effective?

Mayer, R. (2009). Multimedia Learning 2nd ed. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

3 comments:

  1. I think that more business will utilize multimedia for training of employees. When employers can provide effective training without having to either travel to locations or bring employees to one spot it will save money.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pavio suggested two cognitive channels for learning- one for interpreting and nonverbal objects (visual imagery) and the other for processing verbal information. Learning through these two channels is referred to as “referential processing”, and according to Pavio, increases retention of information. Pavio believes that the use of both visual and verbal sensories, causes more cognitive pathways to form; thus allowing faster recall of the information.


    I agree with Pavio’s theory on referential processing. I believe the practice of this theory would especially be beneficial in a classroom of adults with various learning styles. As an instructor, it is your responsibility to engage your entire class by presenting the information in a variety of methods. This would accommodate both the visual and auditory learners.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I see multimedia being used in attempting to encourage more critical thinking, and as the research pointed to, problem solving. This is the next level.

    ReplyDelete