New technologies enable flexible combinations of text and interactive or non-interactive pictures. The aim of the present study was to investigate (a) whether adding pictures to texts is generally beneficial for learning or whether it can also have detrimental effects, (b) how interactivity of pictures affects learning, (c) whether the…

Introduces the articles of this theme issue, which aim to clarify the conditions under which multiple forms of representation are likely to support comprehension in multimedia learning environments and how specific features of multimedia can help learners learn complex subject matter. (SLD)

The focus of this special issue is on the cognitive load underlying processes of interactive knowledge construction in a wide range of instructional multimedia platforms. Multimedia comprehension involves the parallel processing of auditory-verbal and visual-pictorial channels within working memory. By means of integrating multimodal information,…

Reviewed research on the design of multimedia explanations. Findings show these effects of multimedia instructional design: (1) a multimedia effect; (2) a coherence effect; (3) a spatial contiguity effect; and (4) a personalization effect. Discusses each of these effects and shows how the same instructional design can be effective across different…

Comments on the papers of this theme issue, which are concerned with the impact of verbal and nonverbal representations in acquiring expertise in complex domains. Outlines lessons from first generation work in this field and issues for second generation research. (SLD)

Reviews several research studies conducted by one research group that used mixed research methods to explore the ways expert and novice scientists use material features of multiple representations to support their shared understanding and laboratory practices. Draws implications for the design and use of technology based systems that provide…

Identifies and summarizes instructional messages in the articles in this theme issue and also identifies central theoretical issues, focusing on: (1) external representations; (2) dual coding theory; and (3) the effects of animations on learning. (SLD)

Developed an integrated view of learning from verbal and pictorial representations and analyzed the effects of different kinds of multiple external representations on the structure of mental models. Results from 60 college students indicate that the structure of graphics affects the structure of the mental model. (SLD)

Studied the selective processing of information in dynamic graphics by 12 undergraduates who received training aided by animation and 12 who did not. Results indicate selective processing of the animation that involved perceptually driven dynamic effects and raise questions about the assumed superiority of animations over static graphics. (SLD)

Studied the effects of including static or dynamic visuals in an expository text on a learning outcome and the use of learning strategies when working with these visuals. Results for 60 undergraduates for both types of illustration indicate different frequencies in the use of learning strategies relevant for the learning outcome. (SLD)

Studied the effects of different kinds of instructional help on the process of coherence formation from multiple representations by learners with different prior knowledge. Results for 3 groups of college students (n=87) show that directive help is effective for recall performance because of its summarizing and repeating function. (SLD)