Unlock Learning Potential with Mayer's 12 Multimedia Principles

Struggling to create multimedia content that truly engages your learners without overwhelming them? This episode delivers the solution you've been searching for. Mayer's 12 Multimedia Principles provide a powerful, research-based framework that transforms how we approach instructional design. Based on cognitive science and the realities of how our brains process information, these principles offer clear guidance for creating content that genuinely enhances learning rather than simply decorating it.

Download our free multimedia design checklist and share your design challenges with us! Your thoughtful approach to multimedia design isn't just about aesthetics; it's about kindling the fire of understanding in your learners' minds.

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Please check out the resource mentioned in the episode. Enjoy!

Mayer’s 12 Multimedia Principles Checklist 

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Multimedia Design Principles Quiz

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Episode Transcript

Jackie Pelegrin (00:01):
Hello and welcome to the Designing with
Love podcast.
I am your host, Jackie Pelegrin, where my goal is to bring you
information, tips and tricks asan instructional designer.
Hello, GCU students, alumni andfellow educators, welcome to
episode 43 of the Designing withLove podcast.

(00:21):
Today we're diving into a setof research-based guidelines
that will transform how youdesign multimedia content,
whether it's a video lesson,e-learning module or interactive
slideshow.
We're talking about Mayer's 12Multimedia Principles, which is
a framework grounded incognitive science that helps us
design content that sticks.

(00:42):
Have you ever found yourselfasking am I using multimedia in
the right way in my e-learningor training content?
If your answer to this questionis yes, this episode is for you
.
Grab your notebook or open yourfavorite design tool and let's
jump in.
Multimedia design is more thanjust adding visuals to your

(01:03):
content.
Done well, it enhances learning.
Done poorly, it overwhelms andconfuses learners.
That's where Richard Mayer'sprinciples come in.
The principles are based on howpeople actually learn,
especially with how our brainsprocess words and pictures
together.
At the core of Mayer's theoryis the cognitive theory of

(01:25):
multimedia learning, which saysthat people learn better from a
combination of words andrelevant images than from words
alone, but only if we respectthe limits of working memory.
So let's walk through the 12principles together and talk
about how you can apply each oneto your projects.
And talk about how you canapply each one to your projects.

(01:45):
Principle number one coherenceprinciple.
Here's a tip Remove extra words, images or sounds that don't
directly support the learning.
Here's an example Avoidbackground music or decorative
graphics in an instructionalvideo unless they serve a clear
purpose.
Principle number two signalingprinciple.

(02:06):
Here's a tip Use cues like boldtext, arrows or highlights to
direct attention.
Here's an example In a tutorialvideo, you might zoom in or use
a pointer to emphasizeimportant steps.
Principle number threeredundancy principle.
Here's a tip Don't readon-screen text word for word in

(02:27):
narration.
Here's an example Let thevisuals show and keep the
narration conversational andcomplementary, not repetitive.
Principle number four spatialcontiguity principle.
Here's a tip Place text andimages close together so
learners can process themsimultaneously.
Here's a tip Place text andimages close together so
learners can process themsimultaneously.
Here's an example Label partsof a diagram directly instead of

(02:52):
using a separate legend.
Principle number five temporalconnectivity principle.
Here's a tip Presentcorresponding audio and visuals
at the same time.
Here's an example If you'renarrating how a system works.
Synchronize your explanationwith animations or video clips.

(03:12):
Principle number six segmentingprinciple.
Here's a tip Break content intolearner-controlled segments
instead of long continuousstreams.
Here's an example Use nextbuttons or chapters in a video
to let learners go at their ownpace.
Principle number sevenpre-training principle.

(03:33):
Here's a tip Introduce keyterms and concepts before diving
into complex material.
Here's an example Definetechnical vocabulary at the
start of a course so learnersaren't overloaded later.
Principle number eight modalityprinciple.
Here's a tip Present graphicswith spoken narration rather

(03:55):
than on-screen text.
Here's an example Narrate aprocess while showing an
animation rather than crowdingthe screen with text.
Principle number nine multimediaprinciple.
Here's a tip Use words andrelevant visuals together.
Make sure not to use just textor audio alone.

(04:16):
Here's an example In a slidepresentation.
Support bullet points withvisuals that illustrate each
idea.
Principle number 10.
Personalization principlehere's a tip Use a friendly
conversational tone in narrationor on-screen text.
Here's a tip Use a friendlyconversational tone in narration
or on-screen text.
Here's an example.
Say something like let'sexplore how this works, instead

(04:39):
of the following processdemonstrates.
Principle number 11.
Voice principle here's a tip.
Use a human voice, not amachine-generated one.
Here's an example In anexplanatory video.
Take the time to record thevoiceover using your own voice
instead of one that's generatedby AI.

(05:00):
And finally, principle number12, image principle.
Here's a tip the presence of aspeaker's face doesn't
necessarily improve learning.
Here's an example Only includea video of the instructor when
it helps explain or engage, notjust for show Great.
So now that you have a solidfoundation of the 12 multimedia

(05:24):
principles and an example foreach, I will take a few minutes
to dive deeper into why theseprinciples matter when creating
multimedia learning materials.
These principles aren't justnice-to-haves.
They're grounded in how adultslearn best.
When we reduce unnecessarycontent, align visuals with
words and design with intention,we support deeper learning,

(05:48):
better retention and real-worldapplication.
Oh, and let's not forget thatwe're often designing for busy
adult learners who are jugglingcareers, families and other
priorities.
The more clear, focused andengaging your materials are, the
more likely your learners willsucceed.
This is a win-win, all right.

(06:09):
So now that you have a betterunderstanding of why these
principles matter, I will sharesome actionable guidance for IDs
, trainers and educators.
Tip number one use tools likeCanva, powerpoint, articulate or
Beyond Wisely.
Why is this important?
The point is not to use a bunchof flashy tools, but to select

(06:31):
the tool or tools that will leadto engaged learners and better
results and outcomes.
Tip number two select visualsintentionally, not just to
decorate slides.
Why is this important?
Remember, not every slide needsto have visuals on it simply
for decorative purposes.
The visuals need to bepurposeful and connect to the

(06:52):
content being presented, or youwill simply confuse the learners
.
Tip number three alignmultimedia elements with your
learning objectives.
Why is this important?
If the multimedia elements arenot connected to the learning
objectives, then the material isonly causing unnecessary work
for you and busy work for yourlearners.
Tip number four test thematerials with learners and

(07:16):
gather feedback.
Why is this important?
Testing the materials with asmall group of learners and
gathering their feedback duringthe production process allows
you to make adjustments beforethe final rollout of the
training to a larger group oflearners.
This also helps to avoid largerchanges after the
implementation phase.

(07:36):
Tip number five to ensureaccessibility with your learners
, use alt text and captions forinclusive design.
Why is this important?
Today, many organizationsrequire learning materials to be
accessible and inclusive forall learners.
Thankfully, most applicationshave accessibility features such
as alt text and captions builtin for you to easily add to the

(08:00):
material.
And finally, tip number sixremind your SMEs that more
content isn't always better.
Why is this important?
Many times SMEs want to giveyou all of the information.
Okay, take three.
Tip number six no, take four.
And finally, tip number sixRemind your SMEs that more

(08:24):
content isn't always better.
Why is this important?
Many times SMEs want to giveyou all of the information they
know and want the learners toknow.
However, more content alwaysdoesn't equal better results.
More content always doesn'tequal better results.
I recommend getting in thehabit of asking your SMEs the
right questions to determinewhat the learners need to know

(08:44):
and what is nice to know.
Now let's bring it all togetherwith a real-world example.
Imagine you're designing anonboarding module for a software
company.
You're creating a screencasttutorial to show new users how
to navigate the interface.
With Mayer's principles in mind, make sure to do the following.
Number one keep the interfaceclean and avoid using flashy

(09:09):
intro music, which follows thecoherence principle.
Number two use call-outs tohighlight where the user should
click, which follows thesignaling principle.
Number three narrate what'shappening instead of placing
bulky text on the screen, whichfollows the modality and
redundancy principles.
Number four break the tutorialinto bite-sized sections like

(09:33):
logging in and finding tools,which follows the segmenting
principle, and finding tools,which follows the segmenting
principle.
And finally, number five greetlearners with a casual, warm
tone like hi, let's get started.
Which follows thepersonalization and voice
principles.
What's the result?
A user-focused experience thatreduces cognitive load and

(09:53):
actually helps learners retainwhat they've learned.
Here's the big idea.
Multimedia design isn't aboutmaking things look pretty.
It's about making learningmeaningful.
Mayer's 12 principles give us aroadmap for designing content
that not only is effective, butalso respectful of how people
actually learn.
Whether you're designing asimple explainer video or a full

(10:17):
course, these guidelines canhelp you design with intention
and with love.
So what's your next step?
Revisit one of your currentprojects and ask yourself the
following Am I overloading thelearner?
Are my visuals purposeful?
Am I using audio and visuals inharmony?
If not, now is a great time tomake those tweaks.

(10:39):
I would also encourage you toshare your experiences using
multimedia and course design bysending me a text message using
the link in the show notes.
Lastly, I have created aninteractive checklist that
covers the key informationdiscussed in this episode.
You are welcome to referencethis resource as you develop
multimedia materials.

(10:59):
The link to the checklist isavailable in the show notes.
As I conclude this episode, Iwould like to share an inspiring
quote from Plutarch, a Greekhistorian, biographer and
philosopher who lived during theearly part of the Roman Empire
the mind is not a vessel to befilled, but a fire to be kindled

(11:20):
.
This quote beautifully echoesthe purpose of Mayer's
multimedia principles to designlearning experiences that ignite
understanding, not overloadmemory.
It encourages us to think abouthow we spark curiosity and
clarity through thoughtfuldesign.
Thank you for taking some timeto listen to this podcast

(11:41):
episode today.
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