Multimedia is the use of one or more form or communication of media, like text, audio, video, animations, and images. Mayer’s cognitive multimedia learning theory (Mayer 2014) displays three assumptions regarding how we process information. One of the assumptions, the dual-channel assumption describes how we process both visual and auditory separate through different channels. This stressing the importance of including multiple different forms of media to learn. The next assumption is the limited capacity we encompass, that more is not always better as we can only process a certain limit of information at once. The last assumption, that active engagement to the material is needed to incorporate words and images into stored meaningful information. Interactive learning styles are beneficial to boost attention and participation. Interactive learning is learning through discussion by engaging with others and interacting to share ideas and information. Some examples of interactive learning activities would include ice breakers, think-pair-share, and interviews or debates (The SHARE Team, 2018). 

Multimedia, and interactive learning are important aspects in helping one learn as everyone learns in different ways. Thus it is important to include different forms of engagement and mediums to the classroom. Personally I can intake the most information when I use different forms like writing down notes and rereading them to remember it better (dual-channel assumption) as well as through association. Association is the pairing of current knowledge with the new information. Overall, I am looking forward to learning more about multimedia and interactive learning to better understand successful ways to learn. 

Mayer, R. E. (Ed.). (2014). The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139547369

The SHARE Team. “5 Examples of Interactive Teaching Styles: Resilient Educator.” ResilientEducator.com, 6 Apr. 2018, resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/5-interactive-teaching-styles-2/. 

Photo Reference:

EBSCO Health. (2021, April 1). What’s next in the evolution of interactive learning in healthcare? HealthStream. Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://www.healthstream.com/resource/blog/what-s-next-in-the-evolution-of-interactive-learning-in-healthcare.