In January 2026, join us for an online session with Prof. Richard E. Mayer, one of the most influential voices in educational psychology, whose research has transformed how we create and use video and media to support learning. Drawing on his principles of multimedia learning—like combining visuals and words, reducing unnecessary content, and using clear cues—this live panel discussion will explore how these ideas apply in today’s media-enhanced education. With input from the Media & Learning community and your questions submitted in December 2025, this event promises practical insights and thoughtful conversation on designing media that supports learning effectively.
Moderator: Maaike Wessels-Compagnie
we invite MLA members to share their questions or topics of interest for Prof. Mayer to address.
Richard Mayer’s Presentation Recording at MLA Conference 2025
Richard Mayer’s Principles of Multimedia Learning – a summary (alphabetical order)
1. Coherence Principle
People learn more effectively when extraneous or irrelevant content is removed from instructional materials.
2. Cognitive Capacity
The total amount of mental resources a learner has available for processing information.
3. Conversational Style
A way of presenting information using casual, everyday language rather than formal or academic language.
4. Emotional Design Principle
Learning is enhanced when instructional graphics include emotionally engaging elements like facial expressions and warm colours.
5. Essential Processing
The mental work needed to understand the core material in a lesson, based on its inherent complexity.
6. Evidence-Based Principles
Instructional strategies that are supported by research comparing learning outcomes with and without specific design features.
7. Extraneous Processing
Unnecessary mental effort caused by poor instructional design, which does not support learning goals.
8. Generative Activity Principle
Learning improves when students perform tasks like explaining, drawing, or recalling content during a lesson.
9. Generative Processing
Deep mental engagement aimed at making sense of the material, often driven by motivation.
10. Instructional Design
The process of planning and structuring educational content to support effective learning.
11. Learning Outcome
The measurable result of a learning activity, often used to assess effectiveness of instruction.
12. Multimedia Learning
Learning that occurs through a combination of words (spoken or written) and pictures or graphics.
13. Personalization Principle
People learn better when content is delivered in a friendly, conversational manner rather than a formal tone.
14. Positivity Principle
Learning is enhanced when the instructor uses positive emotion through voice, gestures, and facial expressions.
15. Pre-training Principle
Providing key concepts or vocabulary before a lesson helps learners process new information more effectively.
16. Redundancy Principle
Learning can be hindered when the same words are presented in both narration and on-screen text alongside graphics.
17. Segmenting Principle
People learn better when lessons are broken into manageable parts that the learner can control.
18. Signalling Principle
Highlighting key ideas and structure in learning materials helps guide learners’ attention and improves understanding.
19. Spatial Contiguity Principle
People learn better when related text and images are placed close together on the screen or page.
20. Temporal Contiguity Principle
Learning improves when narration and corresponding graphics are presented at the same time rather than separately.
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@media-and-learning.eu.
