Rich McCue

Topic 2 – Where and How Do We Learn, in General, and with Multimedia?

Topic 1 Learning Objectives

By the end of this week you should be able to:

  • Describe some of the key learning theories used in education
  • Describe the importance of Dual Coding Theory and the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia
  • Describe how the Principles of Learning can help you to prepare to teach a group of people
  • Explain why Dual Coding Theory predicts that reading text off PowerPoint slides is less effective than when we narrate images in our PointPoint presentations
  • Describe what Flow is and give examples of things that you personally do that put you in a state of “Flow”
  • Use the Hypothes.is tool to collaboratively annotate a web-based document

Introducing Topic 2

(2 min)

There are several learning concepts that can help us describe how we learn in general and with multimedia. The two podcasts below, from my colleague Keven Alexander, introduce you to the concept of learning theories and then give an overview of the key concepts we need to learn. Following some of the podcasts, there are readings and videos that will help you develop a deeper understanding of the concepts.

(2 min)
(1 min)

Please read the summaries for each of the learning theories and models on these web pages. Some of the theories you will hopefully recognize, and others may be new to you but will give you context to better apply the practical tools we will be learning to use throughout the course:

A Brief History of Learning Theories

(6 min)

Concept 1 – Dual Coding Theory

Dual coding: moving new information from sensory input to long term memory (Mayer, 2014)
Dual coding: moving new information from sensory input to long term memory (Mayer, 2014)
(3 min) You may want to look at the diagram above as you listen to this audio

For a more thorough explanation of the Dual Coding & Multimedia Learning Theory, you can read pages 1-7 of this article.

Concept 2 – Cognitive Theory of Multimedia

This video gives a friendly but deeper introduction to the dual-coding and cognitive theory of multimedia.

(4 min)

Please scan this more thorough description of the theory. Please read up to “The Science of Instruction” on page 7.

Concept 3 – Principles of Learning

Please read this short web page which includes a description of the Principles of Learning that describe conditions that make learning more likely.

Concept 4 – Flow

(5 min)

Please read this article with more details and reflections about flow from a teacher. You don’t need to watch the embedded 18-minute TED talk by the researcher who first developed the concept of flow. Please note the links the author makes to the importance of scaffolding, or support, to help learners reach a state of flow.

If you like games or are interested in making games please read this fantastic synthesis of Principles of Learning and Flow applied to games (optional reading).

Where we Learn – Tools for Learning

Jane Hart, based in the UK, created the Centre for Learning and Performance Technologies. A project they have run for many years is a ranking of the best tools for personal learning, workplace learning and for education. Please look through this list and count how many tools you currently use, and also check out any tools that look interesting to you: Top 100 Tool for Learning

Collaborative Annotation with Hypothes.is Lab

  1. Create a Hypothesis Account: https://web.hypothes.is/start/
(1 min)

3. Practice annotating a web page or journal article.

(2 min)

Tasks & Assignments This Week:

  1. Create a Hypothesis Account
  2. Blogging Prompts:
  • How would the Dual Coding Theory change how you create PowerPoint presentations?
  • Why are we talking about the concept of Flow in a class about online and multimedia learning?
  • Why are we learning about learning theories in this class?

Bibliography

A brief history of Learning Theories (Ariane Dumont). (n.d.). [Mp4]. Retrieved June 14, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgnd4rj2pT8

Principles of Learning. (n.d.). Wikipedia. Retrieved January 16, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principles_of_learning

Summaries of Learning Theories and Models. (n.d.). Learning Theories. Retrieved June 14, 2020, from https://www.learning-theories.com/

Alexander, K. (2017). Dual Coding Theory [Mp3]. https://soundcloud.com/user-433569679/dual-coding-theory

Alexander, K. (2017). How We Learn—Learning Theories [Mp3]. https://soundcloud.com/user-433569679/how-we-learn-learning-theories

Alexander, K. (2017). Learning Theories For Multimedia [Mp3]. https://soundcloud.com/user-433569679/learning-theories-for-multimedia

Alexander, K. (2017). Principles of Learning [Mp3]. 
https://soundcloud.com/user-433569679/principles-of-learning

Hart, J. (n.d.). Top Tools for Learning 2020 – Results of the 14th Annual Survey published 1 September 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2021, from https://www.toptools4learning.com/

Khare, K. (2018, April 24). The State of Flow while Learning. Medium. https://medium.com/a-teachers-hat/the-state-of-flow-while-learning-d1d15f332fa0

Mac Mahon, C. (2013). Dual Coding Theory & Multimedia Learning [Mp4]. https://vimeo.com/57440483

McCue, R. (2021, Jan 16). EDCI 337 Topic 2 Introduction—Where and How Do We Learn, in General, and with Multimedia? [Mp4]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25zxWF11Rf4

Murphy, C., & Science, A. (n.d.). Why Games Work and the Science of Learning. 10. http://www.goodgamesbydesign.com/Files/WhyGamesWork_TheScienceOfLearning_CMurphy_2011.pdf

Spencer, J. (2017). What is Flow Theory? What does this mean for our students? [Mp4]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUsOCR1KKms

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