Efficiency in Learning: Evidence-Based Guidelines to Manage Cognitive Load

Chapter 3. Use Visuals and Audio Narration to Exploit Working Memory Resources

TWO PREVALENT AND POWERFUL TOOLS instructional professionals use to promote learning are visuals and auditory descriptions of those visuals. Whether delivered in a classroom or on a computer, the effective use of visual and auditory modalities is directly linked to efficient instruction. What evidence do we have about the best ways to use the visual and the auditory modes to support learning? In this chapter we present research, psychological rationale, and examples to support four guidelines related to the use of visuals alone and to the explanation of visuals.

Guidelines ...