Visual Design Aspects of Advanced Digital Multimedia Learning Materials: Effects on Learning and Information Behavior in Case of Primary School Children

This thesis investigates the effects of selected visual design aspects of information representation in advanced digital multimedia learning materials (ADMLMs) on learning outcomes and information behavior of primary school children (8-11 years old). It consists of three experimental studies in laboratory conditions, each individually focusing on different issue, including effects of overall visual appearance (VA; N=53), visual dynamicity (VD; N=134), and visual customizability (VC; N=143). The general theoretical framework is based on the insights from science of learning, cognitive psychology, and information science. On one hand, the results show that the investigated visual design aspects do not have a detectable effect on the self-reported learning enjoyment and learning outcomes (i.e., comprehension tests, transfer tests). On the other hand, the results also confirm that children at this age are sensitive to these aspects, which are generally capable to impact children's evaluation of attractiveness (dVA=0.86; dVD=1.11), motivation towards further interaction with the learning materials (x2 VA [2] = 21.269, p < .001; x2 VD [1] = 87.04, p < .001) and related information behavior. The theoretical as well as practical implications are discussed. Although investigated visual design aspects of..