Designing multimedia for learning

Abstract

Narrative is fundamental to the ways we make sense of texts of all kinds because it provides structure and coherence, but it is difficult to see how this works in the context of multimedia interactive learning environments (MILES). We tested our hypotheses about the form and function of narrative in MILES by developing three versions of material on CD-ROM which had different narrative structures and analysed the impact of the different versions on learner behaviour. We present a theoretical framework in which we explain the concepts of narrative guidance and narrative construction and their application to the design of MILES.