Maximize eLearning with the Modality Principle

The Modality Principle, an influential idea from Mayer's Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML), advocates for the use of auditory narration rather than on-screen text to explain visual materials in multimedia instruction.  In other words: Replace on-screen text with narration or voiceover to explain visuals. This principle focuses on efficiently utilizing learners' cognitive resources to maximize knowledge retention.

How Does the Modality Principle Enhance Employee Performance?

The Modality Principle works by optimizing cognitive load, enabling your learner to fully engage with the learning materials. This approach facilitates employee performance by improving comprehension, increasing recall, and enhancing the application of new knowledge in the workplace.

Here are examples of how you may see this principle applied to improve eLearning.

• Poor: A slideshow with complex animations and text.
• Better: A slideshow with animations and spoken explanations.
• Best: A narrated animation that synchronizes verbal explanations with the corresponding visuals.

• Poor: An eLearning module uses static, text-heavy slides to explain a complex procedure.
• Better: The module integrates visuals and text to describe the process.
• Best: The module uses dynamic visuals and corresponding voiceover narration, removing on-screen text to avoid cognitive overload.

• Poor: A video tutorial presents programming code with on-screen text instructions.
• Better: The tutorial incorporates code visuals and minimal on-screen text to guide learners.
• Best: The tutorial uses voiceover to explain the code while visually highlighting relevant portions, promoting more effective cognitive processing.

• Poor: An online safety training uses dense, on-screen text to explain safety protocols.
• Better: The training integrates images and text to illustrate safety procedures.
• Best: The training employs animations accompanied by voiceover, improving understanding and retention of safety protocols.

Your next steps

Review your existing eLearning modules. Identify opportunities to replace on-screen text with voiceover to explain visual materials. Consider the cognitive load and strive to facilitate an optimal learning experience.

_References:

• _{💡Get the book! Mayer, R. E. (2009). Multimedia learning. Cambridge University Press.}
• _{Sweller, J. (1994). Cognitive load theory, learning difficulty, and instructional design. Learning and Instruction, 4(4), 295–312.}