What have I learned about designing instruction from a multiple media perspective?

     Creating instructions in one media format can limit your ability to effectively teach the concept or skill. For example, when I created the instructions using graphics with no text, the graphics did not provide all of the details that were necessary to understand the procedures at the targeted level of understanding. If I could have added a few words onto the graphics, the learner could have interpreted the instructions more easily and perhaps somewhat faster.  

     In addition, I have learned that we remember or comprehend more items when we both hear or read content and visualize the content at the same time. And learner comprehension improves as students participate or actually do the procedures or tasks in cooperative groups or on their own. So providing instructions in multiple formats can increase the memorization or comprehension of the skill long term.

     I also think that using images and text is better than using a single form of media to teach a lesson since comprehension improves as we process multiple formats of information. In addition, using both text and images can provide instructions to those who are visual learners. Using both graphics and text can benefit teaching and learning because the teacher can meet the needs of more learning styles, therefore increasing student comprehension.

     One potential issue with using multiple forms of media in the lesson is that it could be distracting to some students. Some students might find it difficult to process various types of information at once. The information could be overwhelming and therefore they are not able to process the instructions. This could also be true when considering the use of hypertext in the lesson. Hypertext offers the learner many choices and avenues to explore. Some students might find reading through hypertext difficult to focus on the learning objective because their attention and interest are taken into many directions. Teachers would want to provide strategies for staying on task for these students when using hypertext in lessons. One tool the instructor could use is a Web app called Symbaloo that can be utilized to bookmark only the pages that the instructor wants the students to focus on. Another website that I have used is the WebQuest site. Instructors can bookmark the links and add questions that students can focus on while reviewing the bookmarks.

     Using both text and graphics will impact teaching and student learning. Teachers will need to ensure that they are delivering the lesson in multiple formats to reach the various student learning styles, but also be aware not to distract from their lesson by utilizing too many at once. Learning can be improved if the appropriate format is matched with the student’s learning style.