1. Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning
TECM 4180
Dr. Lam

2. What is it?
It’s a series of principles (rules) about multimedia presentation of information (anything with text, images, video, or animation)
Each principle was tested to determine optimal learning conditions
Rooted in cognitive psychology

3. The Three Assumptions Dual channel assumption
Humans have separate channels for processing auditory and visual information
2. Limited capacity assumption
Humans are limited in the amount information they can process in any given channel
3. Active learning assumption
Learners actively engage by a) selecting relevant information, b) organizing information coherently, and c) connecting verbal and visual information

4. Multimedia Principle
"People learn more deeply from words and pictures than from words alone"- (Mayer, 2001)

5. Modality Principle
"Individuals learn and retain information better when instructional environments include auditory narration and animation rather than text and animation" - (Mayer, 2001)
I call it the “closed caption” principle
Rationale: one visual, one auditory is better than two visual components

6. Redundancy Principle
"Individuals learn and retain information better when instructional environments include auditory narration and animation rather than on-screen text, narration and animation" - (Mayer, 2001)
More is not better

7. Coherence Principle
"Individuals learn and retain information better when instructional environments are free from extraneous words, pictures, or sounds" - (Mayer, 2001)

8. Spatial-Contiguity Principle
"Individuals learn and retain information better when instructional environments where words and pictures (or narration and animation) are presented simultaneously in time and space” (Mayer, 2001)

9. Segmentation Principle
"Individuals learn and retain information better when instructional environments where individuals experience concurrent narration and animation in short, user controlled segments rather than as a longer continuous presentation"- (Mayer, 2001)
How can we accomplish this in a video tutorial?

10. Application Adhere to these principles in your video tutorials
Many of these principles extend beyond multimedia learning and into any learning (even static) environment

11. Next Steps Before Class Monday
Complete audience analysis worksheet – See “Resources” page of website for template
Outline of Video Tutorial and script written
Before Class Next Tuesday
Filmed tutorial ready for post-production