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21 - The Transient Information Principle in Multimedia Learning

from Part V - Principles for Managing Essential Processing in Multimedia Learning

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 November 2021

By
Dayu Jiang  and
John Sweller
Edited by
Richard E. Mayer  and
Logan Fiorella
Richard E. Mayer
Affiliation:
University of California, Santa Barbara
Logan Fiorella
Affiliation:
University of Georgia
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Summary

Instructional information can be categorised as being either transient or permanent. Spoken information or videos provide examples of transient information, while written information or static graphics provide examples of permanent information. The major characteristic of transient information is that current information, once presented, disappears to be replaced by new information, with the old information difficult to access. Permanent information, once presented, remains available and accessible for the duration of the instructional episode. The transient information effect or principle can be demonstrated when the same information is presented in either transient form such as speech or permanent form such as identical, written text. The effect occurs when learning is facilitated by the permanent version of the information. Cognitive load theory can be used to explain such results.

Keywords

transient information principlecognitive load theoryspoken informationvideowritten informationstatic graphics
Type
Chapter
Information
The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning , pp. 268 - 274
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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