The Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning
The cognitive theory of multimedia learning, which is developed by Richard Mayer, suggests that the use of words and graphics help people learn better by forming mental representations. This theory consists of three assumptions; the dual channel, the limited capacity and the active processing assumption. The dual channel assumption claims that the information is processed through two channels; auditory and visual. According to the limited capacity assumption, each of these channels has a limited capacity and the learning should occur through taking few information at once. The active processing assumption claims that learning is filtering, selecting, organizing and integrating information based on previous knowledge. Mayer’s multimedia learning theory combines these three assumptions and explains the process of learning. According to this theory, the information given goes through sensory memory, working memory and long-term. Firstly, sensory memory filters auditory and visual informat...