Realistic visual detail can raise retention despite higher extraneous load ratings (the realism paradox), with benefits tied to test objectives¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · review r2–r3 · q2
Currency · newest study 2022 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? When realistic and schematic visualizations were presented alongside each other, retention was higher for realistic parts, while a highly detailed combination received higher extraneous load ratings. → Alexander Skulmowski & Kate Man Xu 2022 q2 i? Benefits of realism are best detected with tests matched to the advantages of realistic details, such as visual retention tests. → Alexander Skulmowski & Kate Man Xu 2022 (2)

Evidence¶

Alexander Skulmowski & Kate Man Xu 2022¶

Alexander Skulmowski & Kate Man Xu. (2022). Understanding Cognitive Load in Digital and Online Learning: a New Perspective on Extraneous Cognitive Load. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-021-09624-7

q2 · i? · review · r3

The review reports, citing Skulmowski & Rey (2020b), that "the retention performance for the realistic parts of the learning material is higher" while one detail-rich combination drew higher extraneous load ratings—the authors' named "realism paradox" contradicting CLT.

"when realistic and schematic visualizations are presented alongside each other in a learning task, the retention performance for the realistic parts of the learning material is higher."

Alexander Skulmowski & Kate Man Xu 2022 (2)¶

Alexander Skulmowski & Kate Man Xu. (2022). Understanding Cognitive Load in Digital and Online Learning: a New Perspective on Extraneous Cognitive Load. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-021-09624-7

q2 · i? · review · r2

The review reports, citing Skulmowski & Rey (2021), that "the benefits of realism were found to be best detectable with a test that is aimed at the advantages of realistic details", and that concreteness of learning and testing materials should be matched to foster learning.

"the benefits of realism were found to be best detectable with a test that is aimed at the advantages of realistic details, for example, visual retention tests (Skulmowski & Rey, 2021)."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Schematic visual games show larger learning effects than realistic games, which show no significant benefit over nongame conditions — related
• Increased perceptual fidelity fails to reliably improve serious game learning outcomes (the fidelity fallacy) — reports the opposite
• Interesting but irrelevant details can impair comprehension and transfer, with effects that vary with the material and the learner — related
• Realism effects on learning depend on knowledge type: advantages for surface learning, disadvantages for abstract content — related
• Realism can serve as signaling when a drastic contrast in shading and rendering highlights relevant parts — related
• Test type determines realism benefits: realistic detail aids retention as retrieval cues, schematic visuals aid transfer — related