The “The Best Practices for Effective Communication” presentation was created using Prezi, an online application, to highlight the multimedia theory of learning. This was the first time I used the application and found it to be challenging. After working in Prezi for a while I began to enjoy it. The application offers only a few, very basic tools.
One challenge was controlling the exact font size and circle size. Another issue I had while working in the edit mode was the screen zoomed in or out at times I wasn’t expecting it and it became annoying. Fortunately, the home button was useful to bring the screen back to the full layout. The sensitivity of my wireless mouse may have caused the wild zooming issue. Adding the audio was straightforward. I first recorded the audio for each slide using QuickTime and then inserted the audio clips into Prezi.
Using the principles of multimedia theory will allow learners to actively engage in their own learning. Whether images, audio or motion media is used, it’s important to use the technology purposefully. Applying the principles of multimedia, modality, redundancy, contiguity and coherence will help the learner make sense of the presented materials and achieve deeper learning.
The multimedia principle states adding graphics to words can improve learning. Graphics include drawings, charts, photographs and motion graphics such as animation and video. Research has shown that graphics can reinforce the instructional message and improve learning. Research has shown that images added for entertainment or dramatic value can actually depress learning.
The modality principle states that student learn more deeply from multimedia lessons when graphics are explained by audio narration rather than onscreen text. The goal of the modality principle is to reduce the cognitive load of the learner’s visual channels by including an auditory channel to lessen the visual load in instructional materials.
The redundancy principle states that learners can learn better just with animation and narration. When visual text is also presented at the same time, the text becomes redundant. Eliminating the redundant material will help the learner understand the material better.
The contiguity principle focuses on the placement of text in relationship to a graphic and helps create meaning for the learners. Integrating both images and graphics encourages learners to engage in active learning. They can mentally organize the materials by making connections between the images and graphics and integrate this new knowledge with their existing knowledge.
The coherence principle states students learn better when extraneous information is eliminated. Keep the learning material uncluttered by omitting any words, graphics, or sounds that do not support the instructional goals. Learners are trying to make sense of the presented course materials. When extraneous materials are present it affects the learning process by preventing the learner from processing the essential material. They may become distracted and it disrupts their ability to build connection among the relevant material because the irrelevant material is in the way.
Instructors can communicate more effectively by aligning instructional materials to the way people learn. Presentations should use both visual and verbal elements to help learners to select, organize, and integrate presented information.
One challenge was controlling the exact font size and circle size. Another issue I had while working in the edit mode was the screen zoomed in or out at times I wasn’t expecting it and it became annoying. Fortunately, the home button was useful to bring the screen back to the full layout. The sensitivity of my wireless mouse may have caused the wild zooming issue. Adding the audio was straightforward. I first recorded the audio for each slide using QuickTime and then inserted the audio clips into Prezi.
Using the principles of multimedia theory will allow learners to actively engage in their own learning. Whether images, audio or motion media is used, it’s important to use the technology purposefully. Applying the principles of multimedia, modality, redundancy, contiguity and coherence will help the learner make sense of the presented materials and achieve deeper learning.
The multimedia principle states adding graphics to words can improve learning. Graphics include drawings, charts, photographs and motion graphics such as animation and video. Research has shown that graphics can reinforce the instructional message and improve learning. Research has shown that images added for entertainment or dramatic value can actually depress learning.
The modality principle states that student learn more deeply from multimedia lessons when graphics are explained by audio narration rather than onscreen text. The goal of the modality principle is to reduce the cognitive load of the learner’s visual channels by including an auditory channel to lessen the visual load in instructional materials.
The redundancy principle states that learners can learn better just with animation and narration. When visual text is also presented at the same time, the text becomes redundant. Eliminating the redundant material will help the learner understand the material better.
The contiguity principle focuses on the placement of text in relationship to a graphic and helps create meaning for the learners. Integrating both images and graphics encourages learners to engage in active learning. They can mentally organize the materials by making connections between the images and graphics and integrate this new knowledge with their existing knowledge.
The coherence principle states students learn better when extraneous information is eliminated. Keep the learning material uncluttered by omitting any words, graphics, or sounds that do not support the instructional goals. Learners are trying to make sense of the presented course materials. When extraneous materials are present it affects the learning process by preventing the learner from processing the essential material. They may become distracted and it disrupts their ability to build connection among the relevant material because the irrelevant material is in the way.
Instructors can communicate more effectively by aligning instructional materials to the way people learn. Presentations should use both visual and verbal elements to help learners to select, organize, and integrate presented information.