Image by Jenny Downing & Adapted by Mary Dew
As teachers, we spend a great deal of time creating presentations for our students. Whether these presentations are viewed during a lecture in a classroom or online in an online classroom, it is important that we know a few key concepts about design when we are creating our presentations so that we engage our students' attention and increase their ability to process the information on a deeper cognitive level. We already know research has proven that when we allow our students to utilize dual-processing (images with text or images with audio) when learning information, understanding is increased. But unless the Contiguity Principle is utilized, our message may get separted from its meaning. The Contiguity Principle describes effective design that helps optimize learning by ensuring that audio is properly synched in correspondence with and text is placed in close proximity to the graphic visuals they are describing. If audio is separated by video or after reading the text one has to scroll down to see the diagram, this disconnects the information during learning by dividing the learners attention and causing cognitive strain. When this happens information gets disconnected. Taking the time to create presentations with contiguous design, produces a psychological advantage for dual-processing that allows the student to make more meaningful connections to the information we are presenting. For other tips on creating more effective presentations, please visit my Best Practices Tip Sheet under EDUC 2740 tab, to learn "The X Commandments for Making Effective Slide Presentations".