MULTIMEDIA LEARNING ABOUT PHYSICAL SYSTEMS Learning How People

MULTIMEDIA LEARNING ABOUT PHYSICAL SYSTEMS Learning How People Understand: • Diagrams • Animations • Multimedia presentations

Defining a Physical System Made up of physical, visible subsystems that interact to accomplish some function • • Man-made mechanical systems Biological Systems Organisms

Understanding a Physical System Involves: • Knowledge of the parts of the system • What the parts of made of • How the parts are connected • Configuration of the system/machine Includes • Knowledge of how components move and interact (behavior) • Knowledge of causal chain or chains of events in behavior. • Mental model of system/machine Involves • Understanding of the function of the system/machine.

Section One: Theoretical Framework for Cognitive Processes Goal - create a mental model (internal representation)

Section Two: Types of External Representations Used to represent physical systems in multimedia presentations: • Diagrams • Static • Animated • Verbal Materials • Visual Texts • Aural commentary • Relations between Diagrams and Verbal Instruction • Redundant • Complimentary

Static Diagram

Animated Diagram The Chain Oiler works on the basic principle of friction. • The Drive Chain rides thru a Magnetic Guide and creates friction, or drag. • The Magnetic Guide rests against a Normally Closed pneumatic Ball Valve • The drag of the chain forces the guide downstream until it over comes the air pressure in the Ball Valve • When the air pressure in the Ball Valve is over come, it opens and releases air pressure to the Oil Reservoir which then sprays oil onto the chain. CHAIN DIRECTION MAGNETIC GUIDE OVERSPRAY CUP OIL RESERVOIR

Visual Text There are numerous drawing sets that contain diagrams of the entire system from the mechanical portions of the system to the electrical system. They are based on the configuration of the controls, the equipment, and the operations used with the system. The basic diagrams for electrical systems within control panels include: Ø Power Distribution AC Motors Ø 120 VDC Power Distribution Ø Emergency Stop Circuits Ø 24 VDC Power Distribution Electric Accumulation Ø 24 VDC Control Circuits Ø 24 VDC Inputs Ø 24 VDC Outputs Ø Panel and Cabinet Layouts Ø PC Cabinet Layouts Ø Push Button Stations

Diagram with Redundant. Verbal Instructions The upper four LED´s signal the four operating conditions.

Diagram with Complimentary Verbal Instructions

Section Three: Understanding Physical Systems from Diagrams Alone • Static • Schematic Diagrams • 3 D Diagrams • Dynamic Events (Animations) • Animated • Understanding Structure • Dynamic Events • Why not effective? • Transient • Visual attention limits • Passive process • Mis. Match between format of animation and format of mental model

Mechanical sensors operate at approx. 50% throughput “True” Singulation modules also operate at approx. 50% Singulation modules operate at approx. 66% throughput

Section Four: Understanding Physical Systems from Multimedia Presentations Involves: Verbal information used in conjunction with static and animated diagrams in order to construct mental models Relations Between Diagrams and Verbal Instruction • Content: • Dual code more effective • Verbal can direct processing • Commentary can provide more/better information

MULTIMEDIA LEARNING ABOUT PHYSICAL SYSTEMS Learning How People Understand: • Diagrams • Animations • Multimedia presentations