A presentation of the Multimedia and Contiguity Principles.

1. The Multimedia and
Contiguity Principles
EdTech 513 - Multimedia
Dr. Schroeder
by Kris Mesler
NOTE: Please mouse click on each page to view
presentation.

2. • After viewing this multimedia presentation,
students will be able to view pages with
two examples per page and identify which
example correctly uses the Multimedia and
Contiguity Principles.

3. The Multimedia
Principle
• Use words and graphics
rather than words alone

4. What does that mean?
• WORDS include printed or spoken text
• GRAPHICS can be static illustrations or
dynamic graphics (animation or video)

5. Decorative Graphics
• Visuals added for
aesthetic appeal (to
decorate) or for humor,
like this photo...

6. Representational
Graphics
• Visuals that illustrate (or
represent) the
appearance of an object,
like this...

7. Organizational
Graphics
• Visuals that show
qualitative relationships
among content (or
organize information), like
this...

8. Relational Graphics
• Visuals that summarize
quantitative relationships
(or show how they relate)
like this...

9. Transformational
Graphics
• Visuals that illustrate
changes in time or over
space (as in transform),
like this...

10. Interpretive Graphics
• Visuals that make
intangible phenomena
visible and concrete, like
this molecule...

11. So, how do I best use
graphics?
• Select graphics that support learning
• Minimize decorative and representational
graphics
• Incorporate transformational, interpretive,
or organizational graphics to make learning
easier

12. Graphics to Teach Concept Types
Useful Graphic
Content Type Description
Types
Unique & isolated Representational;
FACTS information Organizational
Representational;
Groups of objects,
CONCEPTS Organizational;
events, or symbols Interpretive
Transformational;
A description of how
PROCESS Interpretive;
something works Relational
A series of steps to
PROCEDURE Transformational
complete a task
Transformational;
Guidelines to complete
PRINCIPLE Interpretive
a task; cause-and-effect

13. The Multimedia Effect
• There is consistent evidence that people
learn more deeply from words and pictures
than from words alone. This is known as
the “multimedia effect.”

14. REVIEW: The
Multimedia Principle
• Use words and graphics
rather than words alone
WORDS + GRAPHICS =
The Multimedia Principle

15. Contiguity Principle #1
• Place printed words near
corresponding graphics

16. What does that mean?
• On-screen words should be placed near
the parts of the on-screen graphics to
which they refer
• Graphics and printed words need to be
placed near each other on the screen

17. • On-screen words should be placed near the parts of
the on-screen graphics to which they refer

18. • Graphics and printed words need to be placed near
each other on the screen
This photo of
Cinderella’s castle was
taken at sunset during
a trip to Walt Disney
World in 2009.

19. 6 Common Violations of the
Contiguity Principle
1 Separating text and graphics on scrolling screens
2 Separating feedback from questions or responses
3 Covering lesson screens with linked windows
Presenting exercise directions separate from the
4
exercise itself
5 Displaying captions at the bottom of the screen
6 Using a separate legend to indicate parts of a graphic

20. How do I remember all
that??
• Create each design so that a person
may find all visual information
necessary close together on one
clearly readable page.

21. REVIEW: Contiguity
Principle #1
• Place printed words near
corresponding graphics
>>>_|text+graphics|_<<<

22. Contiguity Principle #2
• Synchronize spoken words with
corresponding graphics

23. What does this mean?
• Nobody likes an echo, especially when you
are trying to process a presentation by
seeing as well as hearing. Match the audio
with the text and graphics.

24. Why does this matter?
• Not being synchronous can cause
extraneous processing by the brain or split
attention, where you may lose focus of the
presentation altogether.

25. REVIEW: Contiguity
Principle #2
• Synchronize spoken words with
corresponding graphics
timing Graphics
Spoken Words

26. What have you
learned?
• Multimedia Principle: Use words and
graphics rather than words alone
• Contiguity Principle #1: Place printed
words near corresponding graphics
• Contiguity Principle #2: Synchronize
spoken words with corresponding
graphics

27. Can you recognize the
principles in action?
• You will see two examples on each of the
following pages. One example is using the
principles correctly, while the other is not.
Choose which example you think is
following the Multimedia and Contiguity
Principles.

28. Example A Example B
Example A
Civil War Battlefield
Civil War Battlefield There are
There are many battlefields left in many
the southern United States. Prairie battlefields
Grove, Arkansas has several
left in the
buildings and equipment that have
southern
been preserved from the Civil War.
United States. Prairie Grove,
Arkansas has several buildings
and equipment that have been
preserved from the Civil War.
Which example do you think follows the
Multimedia Principle best?

29. Example A Example B
Example A
Civil War Battlefield
Civil War Battlefield There are
There are many battlefields left in many
the southern United States. Prairie battlefields
Grove, Arkansas has several
left in the
buildings and equipment that have
southern
been preserved from the Civil War.
United States. Prairie Grove,
Arkansas has several buildings
and equipment that have been
preserved from the Civil War.
If you chose B, you were correct! Use
words and graphics together.

30. Example A Example B
Example A
This road
sign
welcomes
you to
Fayetteville,
Arkansas,
home of the University of Arkansas
Razorbacks. The university team has
won many NCAA national track and
field titles.
This road sign welcomes you to
Fayetteville, Arkansas, home of
the University of Arkansas Which example do you think follows the
Razorbacks. The university
Contiguity Principle best?
team has won many NCAA
national track and field titles.

31. Example A Example B
Example A
This road
sign
welcomes
you to
Fayetteville,
Arkansas,
home of the University of Arkansas
Razorbacks. The university team has
won many NCAA national track and
field titles.
This road sign welcomes you to
Fayetteville, Arkansas, home of
If you chose B, you are awesome!
the University of Arkansas
Graphics and corresponding text should
Razorbacks. The university
be located near each other, and not
team has won many NCAA
underneath a graphic.
national track and field titles.

32. Example A Example B
Example A
The Greenbelt passes
through downtown Boise,
The Greenbelt in
giving cyclists, walkers, and
Boise, Idaho
wildlife observers a place to
relax and enjoy the scenery.
The Greenbelt passes through
downtown Boise, giving cyclists, The Greenbelt in Boise, Idaho
walkers, and wildlife observers a
place to relax and enjoy the
scenery.
Greenbelt Fun Facts
Location: beside Boise River
Length: 25 miles
the path connects
Parks: Which example would be more helpful
12 parks
in learning about the Greenbelt?
Wheelchair
Handicapped:
accessible

33. Example A Example B
Example A
The Greenbelt passes
through downtown Boise,
The Greenbelt in
giving cyclists, walkers, and
Boise, Idaho
wildlife observers a place to
relax and enjoy the scenery.
The Greenbelt passes through
downtown Boise, giving cyclists, The Greenbelt in Boise, Idaho
walkers, and wildlife observers a
place to relax and enjoy the
scenery.
Greenbelt Fun Facts
Location: beside Boise River
Length: 25 miles
the path connects
Parks:
A is the best choice. It includes an
12 parks
organizational graphic with additional info.
Wheelchair
Handicapped:
accessible

34. Now that you have seen correct
examples, practice on your own lesson
presentations. Be sure to review this
Multimedia and Contiguity Principles
presentation as needed for information.

35. Image credits
• “Equipment” by paprutzi*
• “Flow Chart” by Phillie Casablanca*
• “Bar Graph” by Kevin Hengli*
• “Life Cycle” by Vik Nanda*
• “Molecule” by p-a-h*
• “Mitosis”- www.accessexcellence.org
• All other images by Kris Mesler
• *- Creative Commons images under 3.0 unported license (with
attribution)

36. Print Source
• Clark, Ruth Colvin, Mayer, Richard E. (2008).
e-Learning and the Science of Instruction (2nd
ed.). San Francisco: Pfeiffer - An Imprint of
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.