Eddie Mathews EDTI 6304 Cognition & Learning UTB Spring 2012 Information Processing Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning

Cognitivism replaced behaviorism in the late 1960’s as the dominant paradigmCognitivism replaced behaviorism in the late 1960’s as the dominant paradigm Cognitivism focuses on the inner mental activities –the “black box” of the human mindCognitivism focuses on the inner mental activities –the “black box” of the human mind Researchers believed mental processes such as thinking, memory, knowing, and problem-solving need to be exploredResearchers believed mental processes such as thinking, memory, knowing, and problem-solving need to be explored In recent years, much has been learned about cognition and learningIn recent years, much has been learned about cognition and learning Background of Cognitive Studies

Common Assumptions Two separate channels for processing information: auditory and visual (some call this “Dual-Coding Theory”)Two separate channels for processing information: auditory and visual (some call this “Dual-Coding Theory”) Each channel has a limited capacity for processing information (“Cognitive Load”)Each channel has a limited capacity for processing information (“Cognitive Load”) Learning is the active process of filtering, selecting, organizing, and integrating information based upon prior knowledgeLearning is the active process of filtering, selecting, organizing, and integrating information based upon prior knowledge

Richard E. Mayer has developed a theory which involves cognition, instruction, and technology. Mayer’s research led to a theory called “Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning” that contribute heavily computer- based instruction Richard E. Mayer Cognitive Psychology Research

Basically, in a nutshell… Mayer’s “Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning argues that… “People learn more deeply from words and pictures than from words alone.” What is C.T.M.L.? Channel 1Channel 2Better Understanding

What is Multimedia Learning? TermDefinition Multimedia Presenting words and pictures Multimedia learning Building mental representations from words and pictures Multimedia instruction Presenting words and pictures that are intended to promote learning

Cognitive Components TermDefinition Sensory Memory memory store holding images on the eyes and sounds on the ears for a brief period Working Memory limited-capacity memory store for storing sounds/images in active consciousness

CTML: Cognitive Processes wordswords picturespictures earsears eyeseyes prior knowledge soundssounds verbal model imagesimages pictorial model Multimedia Presentation Sensory Memory Working Memory Long-Term Memory integratingintegrating media selection media organization

Processing Pictures picturespictures eyeseyes prior knowledge imagesimages pictorial model Multimedia Presentation Sensory Memory Working Memory Long-Term Memory integratingintegrating media selection media organization

Processing Spoken Words wordswords earsears prior knowledge soundssounds verbal model Multimedia Presentation Sensory Memory Working Memory Long-Term Memory integratingintegrating media selection media organization

Processing Printed Words wordswords eyeseyes prior knowledge soundssounds verbal model imagesimages Multimedia Presentation Sensory Memory Working Memory Long-Term Memory integratingintegrating media selection media organization

Multimedia Principles (based on Mayer’s research) Now for some application…

1. Multimedia Principle Students learn better from words and pictures than from words alone.

When the handle is pulled up, the piston moves up, the inlet valve opens, the outlet valve closes and air enters the lower part of the cylinder. When the handle is pushed down, the piston moves down, the inlet valve closes, the outlet valve opens, and air moves out through the hose. Example: Pump Lesson

2. Spatial Contiguity Principle Students learn better when corresponding words and pictures are presented near rather than far from each other on the page or screen.

3. Temporal Contiguity Principle Students learn better when corresponding words and pictures are presented simultaneously rather than successively.

1. Cool moist air moves over a warmer surface and becomes heated 2. Warmed moist air near the earth’s surface rises rapidly. 3. As the air in this updraft cools, water vapor condenses into water droplets and forms a cloud. 4. The cloud’s top extends above the freezing level, so the upper portion of the cloud is composed of tiny ice crystals. 5. Eventually, the water droplets and ice crystals become too large to be suspended by the updrafts. 6. As raindrops and ice crystals fall through the cloud, they drag some of the air in the cloud downward, producing downdrafts. 7. When downdrafts strike the ground, they spread out in all directions, producing the gust of wind people feel before the start of rain. 8. Within the cloud, the rising and falling air currents cause electrical charges to build. Example: Weather Lesson

4. Coherence Principle Students learn better when extraneous words, pictures, and sounds are excluded rather than included.

5. Modality Principle Students learn better from animation and narration than from animation and on-screen text.

6. Redundancy Principle Better transfer occurs when animation and narration are not combined with printed text. When pictures and words are both presented visually, it can overload visual working memory capacity.

7. Individual Differences Principle Design effects are stronger for low- knowledge learners than from high- knowledge learners and for high-spatial learners than for low-spatial learners.

Credits & References Retrieved from the Internet: Clark, R.C., & Mayer, R.E. (2008). Applying the multimedia principle. E-learning and the science of instruction (3rd ed., pp ). San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer. Mayer, R.E., & Gallini, J.K. (1990). When an illustration is worth then thousand words? Journal of Educational Psychology, 88, Mayer, R. E., & Moreno, R. (2003). Nine ways to reduce cognitive load in multimedia learning. Educational Psychologist,38(1). 43 – 52.