Computer Animations in Science Education: Is Background Music Beneficial Or Detrimental?

Abstract: Background music is often incorporated in commercial e-learning software in order to motivate and stimulate the users. However, several studies demonstrated negative effects on learning when background music was present. Based on theoretical foundations, the present study compared learning results of students working with a computer animation about the HI-Virus. Students that had already dealt with the topic AIDS in school performed better, if background music was embedded into the computer animation. On the contrary, students that had not already dealt with the topic AIDS performed better if the computer animation did not contain background music. Students ’ judgment about the educational value of the animation revealed an opposite picture. Hence, subjective impression of students did not reflect the educational value of background music as measured by post-test performance