e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning

6.4. Consider Adding On-Screen Text to Narration in Special Situations

Are there any situations in which e-learning courses would be improved by adding redundant on-screen text? Although we recommend omitting redundant on-screen text in most e-learning programs, consider using it in special situations that will not overload the learner's visual information processing system, such as when:

• There is no pictorial presentation (for example, when the screen contains no animation, video, photos, graphics, illustrations, and so on);

• There is ample opportunity to process the pictorial presentation (for example, when the on-screen text and corresponding graphics are presented sequentially or when the pace of presentation is sufficiently slow); or

• The learner ...