Multimedia in e-learning
The images someone sees are processed through the visual channel, the domain of images including photographs, illustrations, charts and graphs. Text and speech are processed through the verbal channel, which is the domain of language. Although text on a computer screen is a visual element, our working memory quickly verbalizes the words and sends them through the verbal channel.
Cliff Atkinson, Beyond Bullet Points, on dual-coding theory
The use of multimedia can be extremely advantageous for e-learning courses. The goal of combining text, art, sound, animation and video is to promote a powerful learning experience by using the learner’s two cognition channels to organize incoming information into knowledge that can be acted upon, stored, and retrieved for subsequent use. When properly applied, multimedia elements yield measurable benefits by gaining and holding the learner’s attention and interest; improving also information retention. Multimedia is profoundly engaging.
Multimedia ingredients to add to your e-learning project:
- Images, graphs and diagrams;
- Meaningful animations to clarify the content;
- Educational videos;
- Buttons for interaction;
- Meaningful animated text;
- Music and Sound effects.
Another important point for e-learning projects is the adoption of interactivity features, which allows and empowers the learner to control how and when content is delivered, determining the flow of information.
References: Allan Paivio, Mental Representations: a Dual-coding Approach
Cliff Atkinson, Beyond Bullet Points
Tay Vaughan, Multimedia: Making it Work