The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of adaptive assessment versus learner control in a multimedia learning system designed to help secondary students learn science. Unlike other systems, this paper presents a workflow of adaptive assessment following instructional materials that better align with learners' cognitive…

This study investigated the influence of cognitive support for learning computer-based tasks using animated demonstration (AD) on instructional efficiency. Cognitive support included (1) segmentation and learner control introducing interactive devices that allow content sequencing through a navigational menu, and content pacing through stop and…

The effects of self-pacing versus system-pacing were examined in different versions of a computer-based learning environment (static pictures/animations). The role of cognitive style was also considered. While the variables investigated did not have a direct impact on either learning outcome or cognitive load, significant interaction effects were…

Short, cause-and-effect instructional multimedia tutorials that provide learner control of instructional pace (segmentation) and verbal representations of content in a conversational tone (personalization) have been demonstrated to benefit problem solving transfer. How might a more comprehensive multimedia instructional environment focused on…

Learner-controlled instruction is often found to be less effective for learning than fixed or adaptive system-controlled instruction. One possible reason for that finding is that students--especially novices--might not able to accurately assess their own performance and select tasks that fit their learning needs. Therefore, this explorative study…

"Present text accompanying pictures aurally to promote learning" is a well established principle of instructional design. But recently, it was shown that under certain conditions visual texts can be preferable. Instructional pacing seems to be one of these conditions that mediate effects. Especially, enabling learners to pace an…

Provides a critical analysis of theoretical foundations concerning interactive video instruction (IVI). Theories and related research regarding multimedia interactivity, visual features, motivation, and learner control in IVI are reviewed; and the theoretical models of Hansen (relating to skill acquisition) and Clark and Sugrue (relating to…

Research on multimedia learning has produced a vast body of findings which, however, are not yet being integrated into a comprehensive framework of reference. For a considerable time, cognitive centered approaches have dominated the literature. Although motivational variables are now being taken into account, there is still a large gap in regard…

The Interactive Multimedia Distance Learning (IMDL) project evolved from discussions between Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) (New York) and AT&T about how to use the strengths of AT&T's Bell Laboratories and RPI's Anderson Center for Innovation in Undergraduate Education (CIUE) to collaborate on a project in the domain of computers…

This paper examines some of the theoretical and practical problems associated with the use of hypertext as a medium for teaching, and explores the positive role that it may be able to play in teaching materials. Hypertext is conventionally described as non-linear, and this aspect of non-linearity is interpreted as endowing it with many attractive…

Provides a framework for selecting a hypermedia authoring system for use in developing interactive computer-based training (CBT). Criteria for analyzing three major functions are explained: learner control, including user friendliness, and online help; information presentation, including the ability to add audio and visual elements; and source…

This study investigates the influence of pre-instructional strategies on the relationship between learner-controlled or program-controlled length of video segments and on related test performance on post-tests and retention tests. The study looks at the effect of presenting learning objectives in advance on the learning of factual information from…

Reviews empirical studies from a wide variety of fields to show that computer-based multimedia instruction may be able to help people learn more information more quickly compared to traditional classroom lecture. Topics include interactivity; control of learning pace; novelty; and learners with low prior knowledge or aptitude. (103 references)…

Describes the Drexel Hypermedia Demo, a hypermedia system that was developed to facilitate undergraduate and graduate instruction about hypermedia. Topics discussed include media advocacy; interactivity in educational media; navigation in hyperspace; learner control; and design principles and evaluation of the Drexel Hypermedia Demo, including…

Describes the START-UP project developed by the European Community to identify educational and training multimedia producers in European countries and to define the methodologies that these producers use in developing their products. Highlights include production stages, multimedia skills, teamwork, decision making, learning processes, learner…