🚀 go-pugleaf

Each year training and educational organizations spend millions of 
dollars on expensive audio-visual materials, including videotapes, 
videodiscs, animated computer-generated graphics, computer simulations, 
and most recently, multi-media presentations that incorporate all 
of the above.  As the technology for producing this kind of material 
gets cheaper and easier to use, it will become easier to justify much 
greater use of visual learning strategies.  Many educational reformers 
appear to think that the best way to teach today's students/employees 
is to inundate then with visual information and decrease the traditional 
emphasis on verbal materials (textbooks and lectures).  The arguments for 
this approach appear to be combination of practical considerations 
(computers and VCRs don't get sick, 'burn out', or go on strike); 
facing reality (many people can't, or don't like to read); and pedagogic 
theory (people may learn some material better from visual media).

My question is, what is the scientific basis for adopting a visual 
approach to teaching?  Are there major limitations or tradeoffs 
that instructors should know about?  Which kinds of content work well in
this format?  Which don't?  Do people remember visual material better than
equivelent verbal material?  Do they learn more material, faster, or more 
accurately?  Can they learn 'things' that they could not learn from
traditional media; (e.g. global, holistic concepts)?  Are there significant 
individual differences that might make a particular approach effective 
for some people but not for others?

Please note that I am not asking to get into a debate over a particular
medium or the value of interactive versus passive learning.  I am most
interested in any theoretical principles or solid empirical evidence that 
would guide someone who was designing a training course or curriculum. 
Comments, insights, and literature references welcomed.

Thanks.

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Cross-posted to the following groups:

comp.cog-eng 
comp.ivideodisc
sci.psychology
sci.research
sci.edu
sci.virtual-worlds
misc.education: