Work It...

This week we learned about worked example. In short, according to Clark and Mayer, worked examples are step-by-step demonstrations of how to perform a task or solve a problem (pg. 241). This method is most beneficial when learning complex task as it reduces the cognitive load (pg. 239). My intended audience this week were those seeking to utilize this method for teaching purposes as it gives an example of how a worked example can be accomplished.

I have found that as we add more principles and methods to our repertoire, the more challenging it is for me to incorporate one without violating any of the others that we have learned during this course. For example, incorporating the multimedia principle and worked example method without violating the coherence and redundancy principles was challenging for me. Because a worked example for a math problem requires you to demonstrate how to solve a problem, I am almost certain that I violated the redundancy principle (at least) with my illustration(s) and narration. I'm also uncertain as to how to incorporate the personalization principle without violating the coherence principle. Therefore, this week, I mainly focused on the multimedia (graphics and text) and contiguity (placed on-screen text near graphics) principles (pg. 70 & 90-91). Is there a way to co-mingle several of these principles without violating others? I'd love to hear your thoughts and best practices for this.

Reference:

Clark, R., & Mayer, R. (2016). e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidance for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning (4 edition). Wiley.

Trying Not to Overdo It!

This week we learned about the personalization principle. It is the concept that we learn better with an informal style of writing rather than a formal style of writing. Using this principle, we completed a digital story.

I completed my digital story on the life and legacy of Martin Luther King. My intended audience is mankind as a whole as we are the only ones that can make an effectual change in our surrounding communities. This digital story demonstrates the personalization principle by incorporating the "use a conversational style of writing or speaking (including using first- and second-person language), polite wording for feedback and advice, and a friendly human voice.” Although I used more of an informal style of writing, I attempted to "be careful not to overdo the personalization style because it is important not to distract the learner” (pg. 197). However, it was challenging to incorporate the personalization principle without violating the coherence principle (using only clear and concise wording). I'd love to here your feedback.

Reference:

Clark, R., & Mayer, R. (2016). e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidance for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning (4 edition). Wiley.

Don't Over Do It!

This week's text was both beneficial and challenging at the same time. We learned about the coherence principle - only providing learners with information (text, graphics, and audio) central to the lesson goals/objectives. Here is this week's project. My hope is that you would provide feedback that would assist me in processing this week's material.