Adding Positive Emotional Elements to a Multimedia Lesson (Poster 6)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session One
  In Poster Session: Cognitive and Motivational Processes: Poster Session One

Abstract

Students received a narrated slideshow on lightning formation that consisted of black and white line drawings neutral in emotional tone (original version) or the same information rendered in warm colors with smiling faces on elements in each slide such as trees, raindrops, and ions (enhanced version). The groups did not differ significantly on retention and transfer test scores or ratings of positive emotion during learning, although the enhanced group reported feeling less bored and that the instructor was more engaging and facilitative of learning. Overall, adding positive elements that are not directly relevant to the instructional theme might not be sufficient to support the positivity principle, which posits that students learn better from instructional messages that exhibit positive emotion.

Authors

• Fangzheng Zhao, University of California - Santa Barbara
  Presenting Author

• Richard E. Mayer, University of California - Santa Barbara
  Non-Presenting Author