Thomas. K.F Chiu
The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Title: Design of multimedia external representation: Cognitive processing
Biography
Biography: Thomas. K.F Chiu
Abstract
Multimedia resources can be categorized into technology, representation and sensory areas. Technology refers to devices which display resources; representation, to formats of external representation; and sensory, to sensory modalities through which resource data are received. In terms of representation, effectiveness is measured as a function of developing user understanding, and requires the integration of new messages from multimedia resources and current understanding. This involves different cognitive processes including: selecting, organizing and integrating. To successfully acquire new understanding, users need to select relevant multimedia messages presented in materials, then organize and integrate the selected messages. The design of external representations determines the level of engagement in different kinds of cognitive processing. We investigated design methods for multimedia external representations to maximize cognitive capacity and to more effectively engage cognitive processing. The data collected allowed us to define optimal design characteristics, which have useful practical implications for educational technology designers and educators, and can inform efforts to improve the design of digital multimedia materials. These characteristics may also assist multimedia designers to develop more intuitive and approachable interfaces that help users accept messages more effectively.