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

5.2. Limitations to the Modality Principle

When simultaneously presenting words and the graphics explained by the words, use spoken rather than printed text as a way of reducing the demands on visual processing. We recognize that in some cases it may not be practical to implement the modality principle, because the creation of sound may involve technical demands that the learning environment cannot meet (such as bandwidth, sound cards, headsets, and so on). Using sound also may add unreasonable expense or may make it more difficult to update rapidly changing information. We also recognize that the recommendation is limited to those situations in which the words and graphics are simultaneously presented, and thus does not apply when words are ...