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

8.3. Evidence for Using Conversational Style

Although this technique as it applies to e-learning is just beginning to be studied, there is already preliminary evidence concerning the use of conversational style in e-learning lessons. In a set of five experimental studies involving a computer-based educational game on botany, Moreno and Mayer (2000b, 2004) compared versions in which the words were in formal style with versions in which the words were in conversational style. For example, Figure 8.6 gives the introductory script spoken in the computer-based botany game; the top portion shows the formal version and the bottom shows the personalized version. As you can see, both versions present the same basic information, but in the personalized ...