Examining the Effect of Gender and Presentation Mode on Learning from a Multimedia Presentation

Visual presentation modes in multimedia learning include pictures, video, and animations. Research also reveals cognitive differences between males and females (Halpern, 2004). Which one of the presentation modes is more effective? Can one of these presentation modes be more effective for a specific gender? This study aimed to investigate the role of gender and presentation mode in multimedia learning. Participants were 72 university students randomly assigned to one of the two different versions of a computer-based multimedia program (narration with animation vs. narration with static images). A 2 × 2 factorial design is created by crossing gender and presentation mode (animation vs. static image). Dependent measures consisted of a transfer and a comprehension test. The results showed a significant modality by gender interaction on the comprehension test. Females performed better studying animations, whereas males performed better studying static pictures. The results are interpreted in light of multimedia learning principles and studies in the area of gender differences in learning. The important contribution of this study is the suggestion that individual differences such as gender should be considered in multimedia learning.