How Multimedia Design
Impacts the Learning Experience
Mark Fazioli, PhD
CT Distance Learning Consortium
www.ctdlc.org
Agenda
• Outline basic theory and principles of using
multimedia in learning
• Address some elements of multimedia design:
– Graphics
– Text
• Maximize potential for student learning through
good practices.
2
Multimedia Learning
What is instructional multimedia?
The combination of audio, graphics, video, and
text delivered via electronic means to foster
learning.
4
Cognitive Model of Multimedia
Learning
Online
Multimedia
Instruction
Sensory
Memory
Selecting
Words
Words
Long-Term
Memory
Working Memory
Ears
Organizing Words
Sounds
Verbal
Model
Integrating
Selecting
Images
Pictures
Eyes
Organizing Images
Images
Prior
Knowledge
Pictorial
Model
(Mayer, 2001)
5
Multimedia Principle
Students learn better from words and pictures than
from words alone.
(Mayer, 2001)
6
Graphics and Images for Learning
Five taxonomies of instructional
graphics
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Decorative
Representational
Organizational
Interpretive
Relational
Transformational
(Clark & Chopeta, 2004)
8
Five taxonomies of instructional
graphics
• Decorative
9
Five taxonomies of instructional
graphics
• Representational
10
Five taxonomies of instructional
graphics
• Organizational
11
Five taxonomies of instructional
graphics
• Interpretive
12
Five taxonomies of instructional
graphics
• Relational
13
Five taxonomies of instructional
graphics
• Transformational
14
Typography for Learning
Common styles of type
• Sans Serif
16
Common styles of type
• Sans Serif
17
Contiguity Principle
Students learn better when corresponding words and pictures
are presented near rather than far from each other on the page
or screen.
18
(Mayer, 2001
Cognitive Model of Multimedia
Learning
Online
Multimedia
Instruction
Sensory
Memory
Selecting
Words
Words
Long-Term
Memory
Working Memory
Ears
Organizing Words
Sounds
Verbal
Model
Integrating
Selecting
Images
Pictures
Eyes
Organizing Images
Images
Prior
Knowledge
Pictorial
Model
(Mayer, 2001
19
Modality Principle
Students learn better from animation and narration than from
animation and on-screen text.
20
(Mayer, 2001
Cognitive Model of Multimedia
Learning
Online
Multimedia
Instruction
Sensory
Memory
Selecting
Words
Words
Long-Term
Memory
Working Memory
Ears
Organizing Words
Sounds
Verbal
Model
Integrating
Selecting
Images
Pictures
Eyes
Organizing Images
Images
Prior
Knowledge
Pictorial
Model
(Mayer, 2001
21
Cognitive Model of Multimedia
Learning
Online
Multimedia
Instruction
Sensory
Memory
Selecting
Words
Words
Long-Term
Memory
Working Memory
Ears
Organizing Words
Sounds
Verbal
Model
Integrating
Selecting
Images
Pictures
Eyes
Organizing Images
Images
Prior
Knowledge
Pictorial
Model
(Mayer, 2001
22
Summary
• Mayer: words + graphics = 
• Select carefully with audience in mind:
– Graphics
– Text
• Design for maximum potential for student
learning.
23
Resources on multimedia and
instructional design
Clark, R. C. & Mayer, R. E. (2008). eLearning and the science of
instruction (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer.
Clark, R. C., & Chopeta, L. (2004). Graphics for learning: Proven
guidelines for planning, designing and evaluating visuals in training
materials. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons.
Lohr, L. (2006). Creating visuals for learning and performance: Lessons
in visual literacy (2nd ed.). Cleveland, OH: Prentice-Hall.
Mayer, R. E. (2001). Multimedia learning. New York: Cambridge
University Press.
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