Is interactive multimedia courseware more effective than text based courses?

As new media continues to proliferate, a debate rages in the e-learning community as to best way to deliver course content.

Purists argue that text based learning was, is, and always will be the best way to deliver instruction. New media gurus argue that video, interactivity, and multimedia presentations offer a superior experience. Many others argue that information comprehension and retention are all dependent upon a person’s own unique learning style.

So is there truly a superior way to deliver course content?

Research shows that, in fact, multimedia based learning produces far superior course engagement and information retention that its text based counterpart.

An article entitled Benefits of Multisensory Learning published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences explains that “it is likely that the human brain has evolved to develop, learn and operate optimally in multisensory environments (i.e. interactive multimedia)… training protocols that employ unisensory stimulus (i.e. text based learning) do not engage multisensory learning mechanisms and, therefore, might not be optimal for learning.”

In plain language, we’re all born, live and learn in a world where things are happening around us all the time. Our world is dynamic and constantly moving. It would make sense that we learn best in dynamic environments.

TEXT BASED LEARNING

But what does the research say?

Many other studies support the journal’s hypothesis.

A study of student teacher education at the University of New Mexico revealed that across two experiments, students who were exposed to video and animation reported more favorable attitudes towards learning and were better able to apply the learned principles than those who were given text or classroom instruction only.

Another study published in the Medical Teacher Journal sought to “assess the association between the use of multimedia materials, such as video clips, and collaborative communication tools with learning outcomes among medical students.”

The study showed that “video-watchers were more active in [Elearning]; they loaded more pages and more actively participated in discussion forums. Video-watching was associated with a better course grade. Students who watched video clips were more active in using collaborative eLearning tools and achieved higher course grades.”

VIDEO BASED LEARNING

When multimedia learning is combined with interactive elements, the results can be even more dramatic.

An article published in the British Journal of Education Technology describes the shift in instruction methods today, “Learning paradigms today are shifting away from the assumption that knowledge should be transferred between tutor (the instructor, textbook, etc.) and the learner. Today’s learning paradigms call for what I known as an ‘immersive learning experience’ where knowledge is transferred through interaction with the learning material.”

One study cited in an essay by Dr. Steven Hick of Carleton University showed that interactivity had a strong positive effect on learning, and often allows students to learn much faster than they would otherwise be able to.

When you think about peoples preferences for entertainment, it all makes sense. Nearly 80% of American households now own video gaming equipment. Nearly everyone enjoys seeing movies. Trying to get a group of friends over for a book club… good luck.

As new media continues to proliferate, and attention spans continue to shrink, this reality becomes increasingly important for course creators.

So when you’re planning your next e-learning course, look to interactive multimedia elements to ensure maximum course effectiveness and knowledge retention.