In the past week, I created a multimedia learning content in through screen casting. I used PowerPoint screen recording to record a video on “Introduction to HTML” explaining basics of HTML and how to create structure of a web page. It aslo describes some important but basic terminologies used in HTML. The following is my screencast:-
Principles of Cognitive Theory of Mutumedia utilization :-
I have presented my screencast in a way that minimizes extraneous overload while also streamlining the intrinsic overload of information. I followed the redundancy principle where I avoided unnecessary texts for the knowledge I provided. Other than labels (e.g tag names or key terminologies), everything else was explained through only visuals and narration. I only utilized the signaling principle, where I utilized either a laser pointer, mouse cursor or labels to pinpoint the key information. All of the above help learners avoid use of avoidable cognitive resources to find essential materials or discern important information.
To streamline intrinsic or novel knowledge, especially for first time learner for the topic of HTML/web page creation, I applied pretraining and modality. For new learners to handle new novel information, I allocated certain time to explain terminologies (e.g. tags, elements, attributes) that may be used in the following content. While I also utilized images (i.e HTML scripts) and narrated their use in creating a web page while avoiding showing words and sentences of definations.
I actually found segmenting more difficult to implement for this particular screencasting. Although my initial idea was show the code line by line from a blank state to completion while sxplaining them, it was much harder to implement it in a way where I could speak clearly, concisely and confidently without stuttering. Hence, I opted to show almost the full code while explaining them line by line.
Impact of audience for the screencast
I imagined my audience to be students from Highschool level to undergardauate that never got into web developement or HTML. Imagining this, I tried to implement my screencasting in a way that I felt I myself would have found easier to understand. Hence, I tried to keep it conscse and focused more on visuals and practicality (HTML coding) than theory. My only dissapointment was a lack of proper segmenting technique.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this activity was an interesting endevour for me as I learned how challenging it could be to utilize the principles of Cognitive Theory of Multimedia to create effective learning content for new learners. But it was also very interesting and mind-opening how complex knowledge gathering and processing could get.
I really enjoyed your screen cast on HTML. Focusing on visuals and narration instead of extra text is a smart move since it keeps things clear for learners. I also find segmenting tough when explaining code like when trying to teach basic coding to friends lol so I understand the challenge. It’s really hard to expand and stay simple. Using a laser pointer and mouse cursor to highlight key points is a great idea I wish I did that in my screencast. Even if you couldn’t segment as much as you wanted, explaining the code line by line was still super helpful. I’m sure any high school or undergrad student new to web development would benefit from your screencast.
Great job on the screencast! I really liked how you explained the key HTML terms at the start, which made it super easy for beginners to follow along. Using laser pointer and cursor to highlight important parts was really helpful, and keeping the text to a minimum seemed to work great.
Even though segmenting was tricky, going through the code step by step made it easy to understand. Overall, it was clear, simple, and engaging!
I really like your video about html, for high school students avoiding some specialized terms and using images instead can help them understand the content. Also, I visualize myself in the same age group as the viewer when making the video to help me make it easy to understand.
Hi Swoyam,
Your post on applying the principles of Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning in screencasting was really insightful! I especially liked how you focused on minimizing extraneous overload and used visuals and narration rather than unnecessary text. It’s great that you applied the redundancy and signaling principles so effectively. I can relate to your challenge with segmenting, but I think your approach of showing the full code and explaining it line by line still makes the content accessible. Well done!
Thanks for sharing!