The Cognitive Theory of Multimedia or CTML for short claims
there are two channels for processing information which are auditory and
visual. There is limited channel capacity and learning is an active process of
filtering, selecting, organizing and integrating information. Mayer also claims
there is a principle known as modality principle. This states that people learn
more depth from words and pictures opposed to just words. Once moving images
are incorporated the user’s ability to gain information is dependent on the
cognitive demand.
Being an instructional designer and managing a project design cognitive load could have a huge impact on your approaches. I would have to consider what types of tools I would use and if they feature static images and words. For example if less extraneous cognition is used while looking at a static image then there should be an increase in generative processing. The user should be able to dive deeper into the image and make better more thought provoking assumptions. So while designing my project as an instructional designer I would think about utilizing more static images to move learning forward. Another principle is the signaling principle. We often see this when instructors use certain phrase, highlights or graphs to show importance of information. I would claim having more signaling in a project is a good thing. It reduces the chance of skipping over information and overlooking the points the instructor wants to get across. According to Haslam and Hamilton cognitive load is important when designing instructional materials. The overall goal is to design instructional materials that will lessen the cognitive load on the user. Speaking from personal experience the incorporation of technology in the classroom could only have positive effects.
Growing up my elementary and high school were very behind technology wise. Only on certain days we were able to use technology or have different methods of learning. Otherwise it was very cookie cutter. On those certain days you could tell students were actually engaged in learning. The information they retained made sense. I believe there will be a negative impact on a students ability to learn and retain information if we are not incorporating multimedia in the classroom. Me being a person that likes to learn visually with more hands on projects sees multimedia as a positive. As an instructional designer using several methods/tools that makes learning more natural is a goal.
Being an instructional designer and managing a project design cognitive load could have a huge impact on your approaches. I would have to consider what types of tools I would use and if they feature static images and words. For example if less extraneous cognition is used while looking at a static image then there should be an increase in generative processing. The user should be able to dive deeper into the image and make better more thought provoking assumptions. So while designing my project as an instructional designer I would think about utilizing more static images to move learning forward. Another principle is the signaling principle. We often see this when instructors use certain phrase, highlights or graphs to show importance of information. I would claim having more signaling in a project is a good thing. It reduces the chance of skipping over information and overlooking the points the instructor wants to get across. According to Haslam and Hamilton cognitive load is important when designing instructional materials. The overall goal is to design instructional materials that will lessen the cognitive load on the user. Speaking from personal experience the incorporation of technology in the classroom could only have positive effects.
Growing up my elementary and high school were very behind technology wise. Only on certain days we were able to use technology or have different methods of learning. Otherwise it was very cookie cutter. On those certain days you could tell students were actually engaged in learning. The information they retained made sense. I believe there will be a negative impact on a students ability to learn and retain information if we are not incorporating multimedia in the classroom. Me being a person that likes to learn visually with more hands on projects sees multimedia as a positive. As an instructional designer using several methods/tools that makes learning more natural is a goal.
