Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML) as applied to emergent bilingual instruction¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 7 claims (7 for) · 9 studies (4 causal, 3 quant-synthesis, 2 review), q2–q4 · 5 of 9 report an effect size · 4 claims rest on one study

Description¶

CTML (Mayer, 2014) holds that learners process multimedia messages through two channels — visual/pictorial and verbal/auditory — each limited in processing capacity; information is acquired through the channels, processed in working memory, combined with prior knowledge from long-term memory, and stored for retrieval. The article applies CTML to dual language instruction, arguing that design should support three processes: "reducing extraneous processing, (b) managing essential processing, and (c) fostering generative processing," which it links to six SOL principles especially relevant for EBs learning content through a new language.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Instructional content must consist of multimedia messages using both words and pictures
• Design must attend to cognitive load theory and working memory limits

Constraints¶

• The article focuses on six of Mayer's ten SOL principles, selected because they directly support EBs' second language learning

Target Learners¶

• Emergent bilinguals (English learners) in dual language and other second language settings

Target Learning Objectives¶

• Second language proficiency
• Academic content learning through the new language

Claims¶

• Signaling Principle Increased Learning Outcomes [+M]
• Spatial Contiguity Meta Analysis 36 Studies [+M]
• Pretraining Principle Increased Learning Outcomes [+M]
• Multimedia Principle Words And Pictures Outcomes [+M]
• Temporal Contiguity Lower Cognitive Load [+M]
• Presenting words as spoken narration rather than on-screen text alongside graphics improves learning [+W]
• Multimedia Principle Improves Learning [+M]

Related Theories¶

• Cognitive theory of multimedia learning with the attention-guiding principle as a framework for e-book design
• Multimedia learning theory: dual channels, limited capacity, and active selection, organization and integration

Examples¶

• SOL-aligned multimedia lesson sequence: key terms with images first, then short signaled sentences
• Multimedia Design

Key Sources¶

• Marjorie Ceballos, Joyce W. Nutta. (2022). Emergent Bilinguals and Multimedia Instructional Design: Applying the Science of Learning Principles to Dual Language Instruction. Education Leadership Review, 23(1). https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1380081