e-Learning and the Science of Instruction: Proven Guidelines for Consumers and Designers of Multimedia Learning (Essential Knowledge Resource)

527 Pages·2011·7.99 MB·English

by  Ruth C. Clark

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About This Book
Why is e-Learning and the Science of Instruction
important?
This is a book about what works in e-learning. Increasingly, organizations are turning to
e-learning to save travel costs and instructional time. In fact since our fi rst edition of this
book, e-learning in both synchronous and asynchronous formats has risen to account for over
one-third of all delivery of workforce instruction. However, dollars saved are only an illusion
if the quality of the training does not pay off in improved job performance.
Many books on the market offer useful advice for design and development of e-learning.
But unlike these books, the guidelines we present are not based on opinion; but rather on
empirical research. Much of this new research is inaccessible to those producing or evaluating
online learning because it has been distributed primarily within the academic research com-
munity. This book bridges the gap by summarizing research-based answers to questions that
practitioners ask about effective e-learning.
What’s new in the third edition?
The popularity of the fi rst two editions is testimony to consumer interest in evidence-based
guidelines on how to best use visuals, text, audio, practice exercises, and examples in
e- learning. In our third edition we have updated all chapters, adding new research, guidelines,
and examples. You will also fi nd a new chapter on the basics of evidence-based training.
To illustrate our guidelines, we have added new storyboards from an asynchronous lesson on
Excel, a synchronous lesson on Excel, and an asynchronous lesson on pharmaceutical sales.
As a result of the popularity of previous editions as a text, we have also added an instruc-
tor guide, which is available on the publisher’s website. Contact your Pfeiffer representative
to access it.
What can you achieve with this book?
If you are a designer, developer, or consumer of e-learning, you can use the guidelines in this
book to ensure that your courseware meets human psychological learning requirements. In
particular you can learn the best ways to:
• Communicate your content with visuals, audio, and text;
• Avoid overloading learners with extraneous media effects;
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• Leverage social presence to encourage deeper learning;
• Design examples and practice exercises that help learners build new skills;
• Use networked collaborative facilities effectively for learning;
• Defi ne the best navigational schemes for your learners;
• Design e-learning to help learners build problem-solving skills; and
• Evaluate simulations and games relevant to your instructional goals.
How is this book organized?
Chapters 1 through 3 lay the foundation for the book by defi ning e-learning, describing how
the methods used in e-learning can promote or defeat learning processes, and summarizing
the basics of evidence-based practice.
Chapters 4 through 10 summarize the multimedia principles developed by over twenty-
fi ve years of research by Richard Mayer at the University of California. In these chapters you
will read the guidelines, the evidence, and examples of how to best use visuals, text, and
audio, as well as content segmenting and sequencing in e-learning.
Chapters 11 through 15 focus on guidelines related to important instructional methods
and approaches in e-learning, including use of examples, practice and feedback, collaboration
facilities, navigation tools, and techniques to help learners build problem-solving skills.
Chapter 16 updates the research and presents issues to consider in use of games and simu-
lations in e-learning.
Chapter 17 integrates all of the book’s guidelines into a comprehensive checklist and
illustrates how they apply in concert to asynchronous and synchronous e-learning examples.
See the Introduction for a more detailed summary of what is covered in each chapter.
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About Pfeiffer
Pfeiffer serves the professional development and hands-on resource needs of training and
human resource practitioners and gives them products to do their jobs better. We deliver
proven ideas and solutions from experts in HR development and HR management, and we
offer effective and customizable tools to improve workplace performance. From novice to
seasoned professional, Pfeiffer is the source you can trust to make yourself and your organi-
zation more successful.
Essential Knowledge Pfeiffer produces insightful, practical, and comprehen-
sive materials on topics that matter the most to training and HR professionals. Our
Essential Knowledge resources translate the expertise of seasoned professionals into practical,
how-to guidance on critical workplace issues and problems. These resources are supported by
case studies, worksheets, and job aids and are frequently supplemented with CD-ROMs,
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Essential Tools Pfeiffer’s Essential Tools resources save time and expense by
offering proven, ready-to-use materials—including exercises, activities, games, instru-
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Pfeiffer also recognizes the remarkable power of new technologies in expanding the reach
and effectiveness of training. While e-hype has often created whizbang solutions in search of
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Essential resources for training and HR professionals
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e
-Learning
Science of
and the
Instruction
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The Instructor’s Manual for the third edition of e-Learning and the Science of
Instruction is available free online. If you would like to download and print
out a copy of the manual, please visit: www.wiley.com/college/clark
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e
-Learning
Science of
and the
Instruction
Proven Guidelines for Consumers and
Designers of Multimedia Learning
Third Edition
Ruth Colvin Clark (cid:129) Richard E. Mayer
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ISBN 978-0-470-87430-1 (cloth); 978-1-118-08616-2 (ebk); 978-1-118-08617-9 (ebk); 978-1-118-08621-6 (ebk)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Clark, Ruth Colvin.
E-learning and the science of instruction : proven guidelines for consumers and designers of multimedia learning /
Ruth C. Clark, Richard E. Mayer. — 3rd ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-470-87430-1 (hardback)
1. Business education—Computer-assisted instruction. I. Mayer, Richard E., 1947- II. Title. III. Title:
ELearning and the science of instruction.
HF1106.C55 2011
658.3'12402854678–dc22
2011012858
Acquiring Editor: Matthew Davis Production Editor: Michael Kay
Marketing Manager: Brian Grimm Editor: Rebecca Taff
Director of Development: Kathleen Dolan-Davies Editorial Assistant: Michael Zelenko
Developmental Editor: Susan Rachmeler Manufacturing Supervisor: Becky Morgan
Printed in the United States of America
third edition
Printing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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