Multimedia and Contiguity Principle

By Patrick Coleman

Ed Tech 513 - Summer 09’

Learning Objective:

At the end of this presentation, the learner will be able to correctly explain & identify the elements of the multimedia and the contiguity principles with 100% accuracy.

The Multimedia Principle asserts that “people will learn more deeply from words and graphics than from words alone.” (Clark and Mayer, 2008)

Turtle

> Or Turtle

Graphic Type Definition Example

1. Organizational Added for aesthetic value Clip art that is unrelated to

the content

2. Representational Illustrates an object in the Screen capture of content software page application

3. Organizational Show qualitative relationships Concept Map

4. Relational Show quantitative relationships Graph or Pie Chart

5. Transformational Show changes of time Screencast of how to use a software program

6. Interpretive Make otherwise intangible Drawing of neurons items tangible firing in brain

Below you’ll find the 6 graphic types that are utilized in multimedia presentations:

The Contiguity Principle states that “in multimedia presentations, printed words should be placed near correlating graphic(s) in order to create a connection to the learner.” (Clark and Mayer, 2008)

A good example of the Contiguity Principle:

Football Futbol

Contiguity Principle con’t:

A “not so good” Example: notice how the position of the the respective words do not give the learner any clue or hint as to which is which?

Football

Futbol

Review

Words + Graphics = Multimedia

Words + Graphics + Proximity = Contiguity

Assessment

Explain the “multimedia principle”?

Assessment

Explain the “multimedia principle”?

Graphics should be relevant to the text and they should be presented together.

Assessment

Explain the “contiguity principle”?

Assessment

Explain the “contiguity principle”?

Graphics and text/spoken word should be placed in close proximity to one another.

Assessment

The image and text seen below represents:A. Multimedia PrincipleB. Contiguity PrincipleC. Both Multimedia & Contiguity Principles

Football Futbol

Assessment

The image and text seen below represents:A. Multimedia PrincipleB. Contiguity PrincipleC. Both Multimedia & Contiguity Principles

Football Futbol

Resources

*Information: Clark, R., & Mayer, R. (2008). e-learning and the Science of Instruction. San Francisco: Pfieffer.

*Images: Microsoft Clip Art