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

4.5. Evidence for Presenting Spoken Words at the Same Time as Corresponding Graphics

Our second recommendation—presenting corresponding speech and graphics at the same time—is also based on research evidence (Mayer & Anderson, 1991, 1992; Mayer & Sims, 1994; Mayer, Moreno, Boire, & Vagge, 1999). In one experiment, some students (integrated group) viewed a 30-second narrated animation that explained how a bicycle tire pump works, in which the spoken words described the actions taking place on the screen. For example, when the narrator's voice said, "... the inlet valve opens ...," the animation on the screen showed the inlet valve moving from the closed to the open position. Other students (separated group) listened to the entire narration and ...