Anthropomorphisms in multimedia learning: Attract attention but do not enhance learning?
Anthropomorphizing graphical elements in multimedia learning materials improves learning outcomes. The reasons for enhanced learning are unclear. We extended a seminal anthropomorphism study in order to examine whether the effect of anthropomorphisms on learning outcomes, both immediate and delayed,...
| Published in: | Journal of Computer Assisted Learning Vol. 35; no. 4; pp. 555 - 569 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article |
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Wiley-Blackwell
Aug2019
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=137286843&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 137286843 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 02664909 6M1 jtl: Journal of Computer Assisted Learning issn: 02664909 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: Aug2019 vid: 35 iid: 4 pid: 480 pub: Wiley-Blackwell place: Malden, Massachusetts artinfo: ui: 137286843 137286843 137286843 10.1111/jcal.12359 137286843 ppf: 555 ppct: 14 formats: tig: atl: Anthropomorphisms in multimedia learning: Attract attention but do not enhance learning? aug: au: Stárková, Tereza Lukavský, Jiří Javora, Ondřej Brom, Cyril affil: Faculty of Arts, Charles University, Prague Czech Republic sug: subj: Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Multimedia Learning Methods User-Computer Interface Outcomes of Education Computer-Assisted Instruction Human Students, College Emotions Eye Movements Adult Male Female Motivation Pretest-Posttest Design Analysis of Variance Multivariate Analysis of Variance Descriptive Statistics Funding Source Adult: 19-44 years Male Female ab: Anthropomorphizing graphical elements in multimedia learning materials improves learning outcomes. The reasons for enhanced learning are unclear. We extended a seminal anthropomorphism study in order to examine whether the effect of anthropomorphisms on learning outcomes, both immediate and delayed, is caused by the anthropomorphized elements' effects on attention distribution or by elevated positive affective–motivational states. The study had a partial 3 × 2 design (the materials' graphics: schematic vs. black‐and‐white anthropomorphisms vs. colourful anthropomorphisms × eye tracker: present vs. absent). The participants were university students (N = 181). Unexpectedly, we found no significant effect of anthropomorphisms on learning outcomes. Anthropomorphisms significantly affected attention distribution during initial fixations but not overall. Modest effect on enjoyment was found, but no such effect was detected as concerns flow and generalized positive affect. We also found that the eye tracker's mere presence had slight adverse effects on learners, but these effects did not compromise learning. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic Anthropomorphizing graphical elements in multimedia learning materials (e.g., by adding eyes) generally enhances learning.This could be due to increased motivation or due to effects of the anthropomorphisms on attention distribution.Only one study has used eye tracking to test attention distribution effects of the anthropomorphisms in multimedia learning materials. What this paper adds We have extended a seminal anthropomorphism study by using an eye tracker.Unexpectedly, we found no effect of anthropomorphisms on learning outcomes and, with one exception, on motivational variables.Anthropomorphisms significantly affected attention distribution during initial fixations but not overall. The eye tracker's mere presence had slight adverse effects on learners (though these effects did not compromise learning). Implications for practice Anthropomorphisms in multimedia learning are not universally beneficial, but they do not seem to harm learning.The effects of anthropomorphisms on overall attention distribution (if they really exist) may be harder to detect than one would intuitively assume.Researchers should consider possible adverse effects from the very presence of the eye tracker in studies with motivational outcome variables. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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