Multimedia

 

Multimedia is multifaceted and includes many different ways to view media or communication. More specifically, “..computer-controlled integration of the text, graphics, drawings, still and moving images (Video), animations, audio, etc.” (Lisbdnetwork 2021) The use of multimedia allows people to view the information in various ways, making it more accessible to all, and supporting all different types of learners.

Richard Meyer (2014) discusses the many principles of multimedia and describes them in detail as the following; 

1. The Coherence Principle – The coherence principle argues that “People learn more deeply from a multimedia message when extraneous material is excluded rather than included.” (pg. 4) When designing a multimedia project, for this principle I would be sure to include images, video clips or animations that directly relate to the presented learning objects. I would be sure to make sure that all forms of media I am using are intentional and not distracting to learners. 

2. The Signaling Principle- This principle discusses the importance of the organization of the media presented. “…people will learn more efficiently if the lesson is designed to call their attention to the important material in the lesson and how it is organized” (pg, 5) When designing a multimedia project, I would be sure to make sure my media is well organized and presented, including headings and subheadings for example. While also making sure that there isn’t too much extra stuff going on. 

3. The Redundancy Principle- This principle discusses how people learn more from “graphics and narration than from graphics, narration, and on-screen text” (pg, 5)  More simply, people learn better when there is only one form of printed words, not multiple. When designing a multimedia project, I would be sure to include images along with short on-screen texts to go with it. 

4. The Spatial Contiguity Principle- This principle discusses how the relative distance between printed words and images impacts the person’s ability to learn from the material. More specifically, it is important to strategically place graphics and written words that relate near each other, which I would keep in mind when designing a multimedia project. 

5. The Personalization Principle- This principle discusses how people learn information more easily when the information is presented less formally and more in a conversational style. “..can prime a sense of social presence in the learner, which causes the learner to try harder to make sense of what the instructor is saying” (pg. 6) In a multimedia project I would apply this principle by including more personalized wordings of written text. This would provide students a way to better resonate with the information presented. 

6. The Pre-Training Principle – This principle discusses how the benefit of multimedia messages is more significant when the person has some background knowledge of the information presented. If I were to use a multimedia source in the classroom, providing background knowledge beforehand would be beneficial for the learners. 

The three forms of Web 2.0 multimedia are EnergyKids, Social Media and Wikis.

• Wikis- Wikis would benefit a logical/mathematical learner as it is a website where multiple people can share data about a particular topic. Wikis can include graphs, informational text, and images. 

• Social Media – Social Media would benefit interpersonal intelligence as it allows people to share and engage with others virtually. 

• EnergyKids is an online science application that would benefit those naturalistic learners by providing ways to engage with processes of nature. 

Overall, the connections between MI theory, web design, and multimedia are plentiful. All of these different aspects work together to support people with all different abilities. The goal is to create user-friendly and engaging opportunities for people to learn and grow.