Mayer’s 12 Principles of Multimedia Learning

The Multimedia Principle - Words and Pictures

The Multimedia Principle states that humans learn best from words and pictures than just words alone. This principle is sort of the foundation of all Mayer’s principles, that images and words are more effective than words alone.

In any kind of training, it is customary to use words, either printed or spoken, as the main method of sharing information. Words are quick and cheap – you don't need specialist software or expertise to produce them.

Research results suggest that words and graphics are more effective when combined than just words alone, with some provisos:

• graphics should not be an afterthought: they should be planned alongside the text to maximise understanding
• decorative graphics do not improve learning

Multimedia presentations that represent material in both words and pictures encourage learners to make connections between the pictorial and verbal representations of the information, making the experience more meaningful and more likely to be committed to long-term memory. By contrast, providing words alone may encourage learners – especially those with less expertise – to engage in shallow learning by not making connections with other knowledge.

There is more to instruction than simply presenting information, and page after page of text is rarely sufficient.

How to use the Multimedia Principle:

You can use this principle by being very thoughtful about the images you select. Remember that these images need to enhance or clarify the information.

Further information can be found HERE