Chapter 8Coherence Principle

Tara HaynesTomeka Nolen

Objective

To have our audience leave our presentation with a clear understanding of the what is the coherence principle and how to effectively apply the coherence principle to a presentation.

Coherence Principle Guideline #1

Avoid e-Lessons with Extraneous Audio

According to the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia, the capacity of human memory is very limited. It predicts that adults will learn more deeply from multimedia

presentations which do not contain extraneous sound. However, music can be used at the beginning of the

course to make the learner focus on the course and right and wrong sounds can also be used in internal

assessments.

Psychology that supports guideline

Evidence Support Each Guideline 1 or 2 experimental outcomes

1 example supporting the guidelines

1 example violating the guidelines

Coherence Principle Guideline #2

Avoid e-Lessons with Extraneous Graphics

This principle states that adult learners may want to mental structures or images of

course content as they read the content on-screen. An image placed in the course should complement learner's thinking

processes and not distract learners.

Psychology that supports guideline

Evidence Support Each Guideline 1 or 2 experimental outcomes

1 example supporting the guidelines

1 example violating the guidelines

Coherence Principle Guideline #3

Avoid e-Lessons with Extraneous Words

This principle states that simple, basic and concise on-screen text helps learning.

Therefore, we should avoid using long phrases and sentences and instead help the learner by using sounds sparingly, adding complementary

images and simple and concise on-screen content.

Psychology that supports guideline

Evidence Support Each Guideline 1 or 2 experimental outcomes

1 example supporting the guidelines

1 example violating the guidelines

2 comprehension question

Flow ChartCoherence Principle

Avoid e-Lessons with Extraneous

Audio

Psychology that supports guideline

Evidence Support Each

Guideline

Example violating the

guidelines

Avoid e-Lessons with Extraneous

Graphics

Psychology that supports guideline

Evidence Support Each

Guideline

Example supporting the

guideline

Avoid e-Lessons with Extraneous

Words

Psychology that supports guideline

Evidence Support Each

Guideline

2 comprehension

questions