This textbook examines the scientific underpinnings of multimedia learning and is well-suited to graduate and undergraduate courses in psychology, education, computer science, communication, instructional design, and game design. It lays out a cognitive theory of multimedia instruction and principles for designing effective multimedia messages.
Any discussion about effective teaching must start with how students learn. However, instructors often face a gap between technical research on learning and practical classroom strategies. This volume serves as a bridge for that gap by introducing seven general principles of learning, derived from extensive research and twenty-seven years of experience working closely with college faculty. The authors draw on diverse fields, including cognitive, developmental, and social psychology, educational research, anthropology, demographics, and organizational behavior, to pinpoint key principles that underlie learning. These principles cover aspects such as how effective organization enhances information retrieval and the factors that influence motivation. By understanding these principles, instructors can discern why certain teaching methods may not support student learning, refine their approaches, and apply these insights to various courses. For those seeking to enhance student learning, grasping how learning works and how to nurture it is essential. This resource is firmly rooted in learning theory and supported by research evidence, while remaining accessible and applicable to college teaching.
