Communications TheoryThe instructional design knowledge based

• The communication process can be viewed as a matter of transmission, behavior, interaction, or transaction.

• The typical components of the communication process are the information, source, the message, channels (auditory & visual), noise, environment, information receiver ( including cultural backgrounds & previous experiences), interpretation of meaning, & feedback.

Key principles:

Philosophical Emphases

The following generalizations can be made:

• Transmission & behavioral emphases have an empiricist &/or a rationalist view.

• The interaction emphasis has a humanist view.• The transaction emphasis has a constructivist

view.

Basic research support• Shannon’s early channel & noise research; Gestalt

research & theory related to perspection

Early contributors• Communication theory: David Berlo, Malcolm MacLean,

Wilbur Schramm, Claude Shannon, Warren Weaver, and Bruce Westley;

• ID Applications: James Heartley & Robert Travers

ID Application• Culture-Based ID Models

• Message Design

• Multimedia Design

Support ID Research• Elements that direct attention in instruction (e.g. Frank

Dwyer)

• Multimedia message design (e.g. Richard Mayer)

• Single- vs. multiple-channel processing (e.g. Robert Travers, Allan Paivio)

• Studies of effects of message structure on cognitive processing ( eg. John Sweller & colleagues)

Related concepts:• Cognitive Load• Cueing Techniques• Globalized & Localized Education & Training• Information Load• Single-& Multi-channeled Communication• Split Attention• Visual Language & Learning

Instructional Design Domains & Elements Relating to Communications Theory

Learners & Learning Process• Learner characteristics • Attitudes• Background• Culture• Demographics• Motivation

Learning & Performance Contexts

1. EnvironmentMessage contextSocial systemSocietyTechnology-based

2. Physical materials and arrangements

Content structure & sequence• Information & cognitive load• Message structure (eg. Vocabulary, grammar,visuals,

color)

Instructional & noninstructional strategies

• Eliminating noise• Facilitating interaction & social communication• Facilitating online communication• Giving & receiving feedback• Securing & focusing attention

Media & delivery systems• Auditory & visual delivery channels• New technologies & message tranmission

Designers & design processes

• Message design(gaining attention,typographical & visual cues)

• Multimedia design ( avoiding split attention, information redundancy, sound perception)

• Text design ( page& type size, typeface, spaing, capitalization

Communications TheoryEND