Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning

Multimedia principle shows that (people learn more deeply from words and pictures than from words alone) However, simply adding words to pictures is not an effective way to achieve multimedia learning. The goal is to instructional media in the light of how human mind works. Mayer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning stems from seminal research from two established learning theories :Information processing theory and cognitive load theory . This theory proposes three core  assumptions when it comes to learning with multimedia:-

1. Dual channel assumption : There are two separate channels (auditory and visual) for processing information for a human (sometimes referred to as Dual-Coding theory).
2. Second assumption is that humans are limited the amount of each channel has a Limited (finite) capacity .

1. Human engaged in Active Learning by attending to relevant, selecting, organizing, into coherent mental representation and integrating that mental representation with other knowledge .

Humans can only process a finite amount of information in a channel at a time, and they make sense of incoming information by actively creating mental representations. Mayer also discusses the role of three memory stores: sensory (which receives stimuli and stores it for a very short time), working (where we actively process information to create mental constructs (or ‘schema’), and long-term (the repository of all things learned). Mayer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning presents the idea that the brain does not interpret a multimedia presentation of words, pictures, and auditory information in a mutually exclusive fashion; rather, these elements are selected and organized dynamically to produce logical mental constructs. Furthermore, Mayer underscores the importance of learning (based upon the testing of content and demonstrating the successful transfer of knowledge) when new information is integrated with prior knowledge.

In other word ,Multimedia learning is based on the triadic model of cognitive load  assuming people  engage in three types of cognitive processing while learning : (extraneous ,essential and generative ) These three types  of processing are limited to a learner’s available cognitive capacity . Multimedia learning theory is to reduce extraneous cognitive processing that does not serve the instructional goal ; At the core of this theory is the multimedia principle which states people learn better from words and pictures than from words alone .In order to reduce extraneous processing using these modalities , additional principle be followed. The coherence principal state people learn better when extraneous words ,pictures and sounds are exclude  ; that’s mean only keywords ,pictures and sounds are include . Other principles are coming to take a role  and play its part from the cognitive theory like Modality Principle (which states people learn better from graphics and narration than from animation and screen text.) and other main principles.

The essential cognitive processing that represents the critical content of the instruction ; which is refer to Signaling Principle which states that  people learn better with added cues to highlight essential material.in addition to Segmenting and Pre-training Principles. The final part is increase the generative cognitive processing which is responsible for helping the learner organize and make sense of the essential material. The generative cognitive processing related with Voice , Personalization and image Principles.