What is EFFECTIVE Multimedia Instruction? (part 2 of 3)
We already know that our brains absorbs information more efficiently and effectively when we have access to multimedia instruction.
Why? Because when information is presented and absorbed using both visual and auditory channels of the brain information in the working memory is more easily transferred to our long term memory.
But - it's not enough to just know to use multimedia. We must use EFFECTIVE multimedia.
Let's unpack what it means for multimedia to be effective:
When it comes to effective multimedia we know that…
Words and pictures are better than just words alone.
Words could mean written words or spoken words - or both - combined with pictures help the brain process more information.
Multimedia learning is more effective when it is interactive and under the control of the learner.
Activities that are self-paced and student controlled help increase the success of students. When students can control the pace of what they are learning… they simply learn more. And even more - when students can interact with their learning, manipulate, start, stop, and begin again on their own time - even better!
Effective multimedia includes animation.
Animation can improve learning. This is especially helpful for trickier concepts that are hard to understand. Animation can breath life into unfamiliar content, presenting it in a way that helps break the concept down or makes it more applicable for the student. Animation that includes both the visuals of the animation accompanied by narration help our brain to process new information even better. Again this is making using of both the auditory and visual channels - allowing them to work together.
Multimedia is most effective when the content and format actively engages the learner.
A perfect example of this is if there is a character on a computer screen that is talking directly to the student. If the character appears to interact with the learner using conversational words like you and I, students will be more engaged.
Multimedia learning is most effective when the learner can apply their newly acquired knowledge and receive feedback.
We not only want to provide students multimedia instruction to take in new information, but we also want to allow them to apply that new knowledge immediately so that they can transfer that knowledge from their working memory into their long term memory. Providing a way for them to apply new knowledge is key. Feedback is equally as important. The use of rubrics, specifically rubrics written in kid-friendly language, help give students feedback that they can take action on. It gives them some guidance as well as sets the expectations for learning.
Multimedia is most effective when the same information is presented in a variety of ways.
Whether it’s print, audio, video or other visuals, showing the same information in multiple ways gives students an opportunity to see and understand new information from all angles. More exposure to the same information helps the brain to process and commit that new learning into long term memory.
Here’s the bottom line:
Our students are what we consider digital natives, technology has become one of their native learning languages. Including effective multimedia as part of your every day instruction can significantly enhance student learning. Multimedia instruction supports the way our brain processes new information.