Week 4 Readings

I really appreciated the clear and straightforward manner of presenting information in this week’s readings. Clark and Mayer even defined three very simple terms--“words,” “graphics,” and “multimedia presentation”--so readers would understand those terms in the context of the textbook (ELSI, p. 56). Chapter 3 of ELSI, regarding the “Multimedia Principle,” was especially pertinent to my own immediate situation at work. The dilemma posed at the beginning of this chapter is the exact situation faced in my workplace (primarily by our clients): costs versus benefits of multimedia e-learning design. Graphics, especially custom simulations, DO require more time and money, and it can be difficult to justify the expense of the more elaborate designs. The discussion about static versus animated graphics was especially relevant, since the client for two of my current e-course projects is weighing the cost of having us produce new simulations versus using static images they already have. Of course, our flash programmers are chomping at the bit to create the cool simulations, but Chapter 3 certainly provides evidence to support the use of static images to promote learning. However, one aspect that was not really discussed in Chapter 3 was learner motivation. Figure 3.9 may be more effective at producing knowledge transfer than words alone, but it certainly didn’t motivate me to spend much time looking at it! I would like to know what the research says about motion as a motivating factor in graphics. My e-course projects at work will have bulleted text that slides onto the screen in time with the voiceover text, and I find that I pay much more attention to these bits of information that slide onto screen than the static text. What would the research say about learning with this type of design element?

Chapter 4 on the Contiguity Principle contained some solid information and examples about keeping text close to graphics. Likewise, the Atkinson and Mayer article on principles for Powerpoint design was clear and straight to the point. I am looking forward to reading more about the Modality Principle in the next chapter of ELSI, because I happen to prefer to read text on screen than to listen to narration. If I have the option of a transcript or audio, I will choose the transcript.