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Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning

General

Cognitive theory of multimedia learning is one of the cognitivist learning theories introduced by an American psychology professor Richard Mayer in the 1990s. This theory is a sub-theory of the cognitive load theory applied especially for multimedia learning, and therefore has many similarities with it. Basic assumption of Mayer's theory is that the human working memory has two sub-components that work in parallel (visual and verbal/acoustic) and that learning can be more successful if both of this channels are used for information processing at the same time.

What is cognitive theory of multimedia learning?

Mayer's theory is based on three assumptions suggested by cognitive research1)2):

  Human working memory model Image borrowed from: http://t0.gstatic.com/images... Click on the picture to follow the link.

  1. Dual-channel assumption - The verbal and visual channels (similar to what Baddeley called phonological loop system and visuospatial sketchpad3)) in our working memory are separated and can be used for processing information simultaneously thus enhancing process of learning. The suggestion that human working memory has more sub-components firstly came from the working memory models designed by Alan Baddeley and Graham Hitch in 19744) and reviewed by Baddeley in 19925). These findings where further incorporated to the Dual coding theory by Allan Paivio6) and later by Mayer and his colleagues.
  2. Limited capacity assumption - As Miller's Information processing theory has shown, these channels have limited capacity7) and limited time8) they can hold information. Too much information can therefore cause cognitive overload.9)
  3. Active-processing assumption - Learning is an active process of collecting, organizing and integrating new information10). Similarities with constructivist learning may be noticed in this definition.

Together with cognitive load theory, which offers a more detailed description of cognitive load types and possible causes of cognitive overload, the mentioned assumptions of cognitive theory of multimedia learning form a framework and theoretical basis for most contemporary research on learning. This research is mostly oriented on two goals:

  • utilizing both information processing channels, and
  • managing cognitive load and avoiding cognitive overload.

Research results have revealed a number of so called principles and effects describing different phenomena related to learning, instructional aids and ways of reducing cognitive load.

What is the practical meaning of cognitive theory of multimedia learning?

Principles of the cognitive theory of multimedia learning have a very practical application in educational theory. As stated by Mayer11), these principals suggest that students learn better

  • from words and pictures than from words alone
  • from animation and narration together than only from animation or narration or on-screen text
  • when corresponding words and pictures are presented close rather than far from each other on the page or screen
  • when corresponding words and pictures are presented simultaneously rather than one after another
  • when extraneous interesting but irrelevant material is excluded rather than included
  • when important information in the learning material is marked or emphasized
  • animation or text are broken down into smaller segments
  • when they are presented with worked examples before they try to solve a problem on their own
  • when they are prompted to self-explain a step in a procedure
  • when they study complex material in collaboration with other students
  • when their prior knowledge is activated prior to learning new material
  • when they receive amount of guidance depending on their expertise level

All of this design effects are stronger for low-knowledge learners than for high knowledge learners, and for high-spatial learners rather than for low-spatial learners.

Criticisms

Cognitive theory of multimedia learning is mostly subjected to same criticisms as the cognitive load theory since it is an extension of it.

Keywords and most important names

  • Cognitive theory of multimedia learning, dual coding theory, visual and verbal/acoustic channel, modality principle, redundancy principle, spatial contiguity principle, temporal contiguity principle, coherence principle, individual differences principle

Bibliography

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learning_theories/cognitive_theory_of_multimedia_learning.1315903086.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/06/19 17:49 (external edit)