e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning

7.1. Avoid e-Lessons with Extraneous Audio

First, consider the addition of background music and sounds to a narrated animation. You can see an example of this type of treatment in our database counter-example lesson on the CD. Is there any theoretical rationale for adding or not adding music and sounds, and is there any research evidence? These questions are addressed in this section.

Based on the psychology of learning and the research evidence summarized in the following paragraphs, we recommend that you avoid e-learning courseware that includes extraneous sounds in the form of background music or environmental sounds. Like all recommendations in this book, this one is limited. Recommendations should be applied based on an understanding of ...