Understanding the role of the modality principle in multimedia learning environments.

The modality principle states that low-experience learners more successfully understand information that uses narration rather than on-screen text. This is due to the idea that on-screen text may produce a cognitive overload if it is accompanied by other visual elements. Other studies provided addit...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Computer Assisted Learning Vol. 32; no. 6; pp. 607 - 618
Main Authors: Oberfoell, A., Correia, A.
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Wiley-Blackwell Dec2016
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=119309701&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ccm
    uiTerm: 119309701
    longDbName: CINAHL Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    dissinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        02664909
        6M1
      jtl: Journal of Computer Assisted Learning
      issn: 02664909
      maglogo: Y
    pubinfo:
      dt: Dec2016
      vid: 32
      iid: 6
      pid: 480
      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
      place: Malden, Massachusetts
    artinfo:
      ui:
        119309701
        119309701
        119309701
        10.1111/jcal.12157
        119309701
      ppf: 607
      ppct: 11
      formats:
      tig:
        atl: Understanding the role of the modality principle in multimedia learning environments.
      aug:
        au:
          Oberfoell, A.
          Correia, A.
        affil: School of Education, Iowa State University, Ames IA, USA
      sug:
        subj:
          Multimedia
          Learning Environment
          Cognition
          Workload
          Human
          Learning Methods
          Data Analysis Software
          Adolescence
          Adult
          Female
          Male
          T-Tests
          P-Value
          Adolescent: 13-18 years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Female
          Male
      ab: The modality principle states that low-experience learners more successfully understand information that uses narration rather than on-screen text. This is due to the idea that on-screen text may produce a cognitive overload if it is accompanied by other visual elements. Other studies provided additional data and support for the modality principle in multimedia learning environments. However, some recent studies began to show the modality principle's impact had certain parameters, and it was impacting various groups, conditions and environments differently. This study replicated Mayer and Moreno's studies on the modality principle (1998; 2006). Seventy-nine college students attending a Midwestern University in the USA participated in this study in 2015. The results of the study showed that the modality principle was not an effective strategy for the group of low-experience content users. The results showed the retention and transfer of knowledge was not as effective for students who viewed the narrated PowerPoint presentation. In fact, students who viewed the PowerPoint presentation that only included the on-screen text, had more effective retention and transfer of knowledge. Lay description What is currently known about the modality principle: Learners are more successful with understanding information that uses narration than on-screen text specifically low-experience learners., This is due to the idea that on-screen text may produce a cognitive overload if it is accompanied by other visual elements., What this study adds to this subject matter: Carefully replicated Mayer and Moreno's studies on the modality principle with the intent to verify if the modality principle held with digital-aged students., Data collection took place in the participants' actual classroom (natural setting) in opposition to a lab-like setting., Implications of study findings for practitioners: Results counter the original study's findings specifically for low-experience learners, meaning on-screen text was more effective for transfer and retention of knowledge when compared with printed text and narration., When designing multimedia learning, instructional designers need to consider other elements (e.?g., presentation speed and learning times) that may be causing a change in the modality effect.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
    refInfo:
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N