Multimedia
Present words and pictures rather than words alone.
Personalization
Present speech in conversational style rather than formal style.
Voice
Present speech with human voice rather than machine voice.
Image
Present speaker’s image on the screen during learning.
People learn better from words and pictures than from words alone.
Pashudhan Praharee. (2021, October 23). Common Behavior Problems of Dogs & Cats: Solutions.
Research findings indicate that combining words and graphics is more effective than using words alone, but with certain considerations:
Graphics should not be an afterthought; instead, they should be planned alongside the text to maximize understanding.
Decorative graphics do not contribute to improved learning.
Behavior Vets. (2019, February 13). The Spectrum of Dog Sociability
Apply this principle by carefully choosing images.
Keep in mind that these images should serve to enhance or clarify the information.
People learn best from a more informal, conversational voice than an overly formal voice
Lizak Learning. (2020, February 10). Personalization Principle [Video]. YouTube.
When learners perceive that the author is addressing them directly, they are more inclined to view the author as a conversational partner. Consequently, they are more motivated to exert effort in understanding what the author is communicating.
A more informal voice enhances the learning experience.
Implement this by maintaining simple and casual language.
Steer clear of overly formal text or lengthy, complex words.
Furthermore, incorporating first-person language (you, I, we, our) is beneficial. Consider the demographics of your audience and align the tone of your voiceover to enhance personalization.
People learn best from a human voice than a computer voice
Implementing this principle involves either recording your own professional narration or enlisting a professional to create an audio voiceover.
Ensure the quality of your audio by utilizing a professional microphone and mastering it in audio editing software.
Although Siri and Alexa are becoming increasingly sophisticated, there is no substitute for a human voice. It's crucial to acknowledge that studies on the Voice Principle are still in the early stages.
Nevertheless, it remains sensible to employ a human for your voiceover.
People do not necessarily learn better from a talking head video
Research on this topic is still in its early stages, so it's advisable to approach this principle cautiously.
The notion is that, when crucial information needs to be learned, displaying relevant visuals on the screen is considered more effective than showcasing a talking head of an instructor.
It's important to acknowledge that talking heads can add value by establishing credibility and trust, which is particularly advantageous at the beginning of the learning experience.
Rather than featuring the instructor's talking head, integrate relevant animations and visuals to complement the audio voiceover.
Watch this example video: