Redundancy

Sensemaking

Principle in Action

The National Geographic Education Videos uses only keywords alongside graphics and narration to minimize cognitive load on the visual channel. By limiting on-screen text to essential keywords, learners are not required to scan back and forth between detailed text and visuals, which can overwhelm the visual channel. Instead, they focus on the narration and images, with keywords serving as brief visual anchors. This approach reduces mental effort needed to compare spoken and printed text, enhancing comprehension and retention of complex concepts.

National Geographic

Uses only keywords alongside graphics to minimize cognitive load on the visual channel

Uses only keywords alongside graphics to minimize cognitive load on the visual channel

Discuss in your team

Are there any cases in your educational product where learners could potentially be overwhelmed by redundant information in both audio and text formats?

What alternatives can you offer to convey key points without duplicating audio narration in written form?

Principle Definition

People learn better from graphics and narration than from graphics, narration, and printed text. Because (a) the visual channel can become overloaded by having to visually scan between pictures and on-screen text, and (b) because learners expend mental effort in trying to compare the incoming streams of printed and spoken text.

Limitations

Redundancy is acceptable when presenting technical terms, vocabulary, equations, and directions that learners might need to revisit. For example, subtitles are necessary for non-native speakers or language learners.

Redundancy

Sensemaking

Principle Definition

People learn better from graphics and narration than from graphics, narration, and printed text. Because (a) the visual channel can become overloaded by having to visually scan between pictures and on-screen text, and (b) because learners expend mental effort in trying to compare the incoming streams of printed and spoken text.

Limitations

Limitations

Redundancy is acceptable when presenting technical terms, vocabulary, equations, and directions that learners might need to revisit. For example, subtitles are necessary for non-native speakers or language learners.

Relevant Principles

Relevant Principles

Principle in Action

National Geographic

The National Geographic Education Videos uses only keywords alongside graphics and narration to minimize cognitive load on the visual channel. By limiting on-screen text to essential keywords, learners are not required to scan back and forth between detailed text and visuals, which can overwhelm the visual channel. Instead, they focus on the narration and images, with keywords serving as brief visual anchors. This approach reduces mental effort needed to compare spoken and printed text, enhancing comprehension and retention of complex concepts.

Uses only keywords alongside graphics to minimize cognitive load on the visual channel

Discuss in your team

Are there any cases in your educational product where learners could potentially be overwhelmed by redundant information in both audio and text formats?

What alternatives can you offer to convey key points without duplicating audio narration in written form?