Abstract
A strategy for developing effective multimedia instruction should be based on evidence presented by cognitive science and backed by research. Unless guided by instructional design principles, multimedia learning products run the risk of being unusual and entertaining but not effective. An effective design strategy at a minimum should embrace; recognizing learner differences, creating good multimedia messages, managing cognitive load, providing opportunities for active cognition, and monitoring learner engagement, intentions and progress. Activity theory, when integrated into multimedia instruction can support the creation of constructivist learning environments. Activities are ways that learners interact with the outside world and cognition is part of the interaction. Using multimedia to develop opportunities for learners to participate in active cognition can enhance the learning environment Active cognitive engagement should include active, interactive and reflective e-learning. The challenge for instructional designers is to position multimedia in an environment that supports the realization of meaningful learning.
TopIntroduction
This chapter presents a strategy for developing effective multimedia instruction based on evidence presented by cognitive science. The strategy is based on research and may guide instructional designers in creating supportive multimedia e-learning environments. The underlying assumptions of this chapter are that learners have individual styles of learning, construct their own meaning and that the learner is at the center of the learning process. Though learning differences exist, environments can be created that provide the learner with effective, functional and appealing places to learn.
The end of the twentieth century has produced changes in technologies and new ways of thinking about how people learn. The new paradigm supports a constructivist view that learners create their own meaning. Learning is seen as an active, intentional and constructive practice. Learners in constructivism are actively engaged in the learning and responsible for creating knowledge. This is a vast departure from traditional didactic pedagogy where the teacher is seen as the purveyor of knowledge. In constructivism, community and environment are relevant aspects of the learning experience. Learning environments must provide authentic activities or ways for learners to interact with the objective world, which support their intention of meeting learning goals. The challenge for instructional designers is to create environments rich with crucial learning attributes that support a cognitive, constructivist paradigm.
Creating effective multimedia instruction means creating environments that adhere to cognitive learning theory, utilize the results of high quality research and apply these to a learning situation. By creating multimedia messages that are grounded in how the human mind works, managing cognitive load, fostering active cognition, and creating learner engagement, instructional designers can create supportive and effective constructivist learning environments.
Chapter Objectives
The reader will be able to:
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Understand how constructivist theory and cognitive science can aid in the creation of effective instruction for multimedia e-learning.
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Appreciate the importance of creating a supportive learning environment when using multimedia.
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Evaluate several influences on learner centered design when using multimedia in learning environments.
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Identify three different strategies for creating active cognitive engagement.
Background
Understanding the human brain and the complexity of the processes involved in learning is a division of the cognitive science field. The field is relatively young, very dynamic, and expanding. Advances in technologies and computers give scientists the ability to create expert systems, robots, and artificial intelligence. These advances have also given scientists a better picture of how the mind works. Cognitive science is the study of how the mind works (Boring, 2003).
The establishment of this area of study began in the 1940’s and 1950 with developments by computer pioneers like Alan Turing. Turing realized that computers could be programmed to understand language, solve math problems and play chess. This established the theory that the human mind operated much like a computer with inputs and outputs. The theory that minds were programmable and ran on brains with capacities was a shift in paradigms. Other advances in the fields of linguistics and neurophysiology contributed to the knowledge base of how the human brain processes information. Continuing research in the areas of cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience are creating images of the human brain and mapping out the processes. Along with learning about the brain, scientists are learning about how we learn (University of California Berkley, 2005).
Key Terms in this Chapter
Constructivist Learning Environment (CLE): Constructivist learning environments are learner centered places where knowledge is constructed by each learner rather than transmitted from a teacher or instruction (Wilson, 1996).
Situated Cognition: This idea says knowledge is developed and used in part by being situated in interactions human beings have with activity, context and culture (Brown, Collins & Duguid, 1989).
Behaviorism: This learning theory considers learning to be a change in observable behavior that results from an experience and lasts over time. Based on B. F. Skinner’s concept that behavior changes because of contiguity or the pairing of stimuli, insights, goals, ideas, and any other change that exists only in the learner’s mind are not considered (Eggen & Kauchak, 1999)
Cognitive Science: The study of how the mind works. More broadly it can be defined as a multidisciplinary and study of the human mind and behavior (Boring, 2003).
Multimedia: This can be defined as the combination of pictures and word. Interactive multimedia is the combinations of audio, video, text graphics, and animations that are used to deliver the e-learning (Mayer, 2001).
Cognitivism: Is not an uncomplicated or solitary paradigm. Cognitive science is at the root of cognitivism. Learning takes place in cognitivism when a learner processes information that comes from the outside world by building a mental construct of the information.
E-Learning: This is instruction that is designed for and delivered on a computer system is classified as e-learning. Effective e-learning is learning that facilitates transfer and retention of content to the learner and meets the learners learning goals. In good e-learning understanding or knowledge is enhanced, behavior changes, processes are improved or some other function gets better (Allen, 2003).
Humanism: This theory which originated in the mid 1950’s has had resurgence because of the emphasis on learner growth and potential. It emphasizes that learning and thinking are driven by a desire to be a complete and fulfilled human being capable of making decisions and positively affecting others. Humanistic views of motivation believe that learners seek gratifying experiences (Eggen & Kauchak, 1999).
Activity Theory: This focuses on the interaction of human activity and the human mind in a relevant environmental context. In activity theory there is no separating the activity from the context (Jonassen & Rohrer-Murphy, 1999).
Instructional Systems Design (ISD): ISD consists of a systematic approach to creating e-learning through the process of analyzing, designing, developing, implementing and evaluating a learning solution (Clark, 2002).
Constructivism: This theory says that knowledge comes through an individual’s internalization of events that happen in the outside world. Constructing knowledge is the learners’ attempt to make sense out of their world by interacting with it. Learners are not “empty vessels to be filled” but rather take an active part in the learning process (Driscoll, 2000, p.376).