EVALUATION OF DESIGN QUALITY OF ONLINE BIOCHEMISTRY ANIMATIONS USING MAYER’S PRINCIPLES

Abstract

Introduction: Online animations are accessed by MBBS I^st year students in order to learn complex concepts in Biochemistry. Multimedia learning principles proposed by Richard E Mayer, have been used in the design of animations to enhance learning. There is a paucity studies that have evaluated the design of animations in Biochemistry based on multimedia learning principles. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the design quality of online animations in Biochemistry using a framework based on Mayer’s multimedia learning Principles.

Materials and Methods: A total of 102 animations belonging to various topics in Biochemistry (MBBS I^st year Syllabus) were shortlisted through online search using www.google.com and www.youtube.com. These animations were evaluated using a framework based approach devised using Mayer’s multimedia learning principles. Animations were scored based on their compliance with multimedia learning principles.

Results: The shortlisted animations had median score of 8 (Interquartile range =1) out of a maximum score of 10. None of the animations had a score of 10 (100%). Personalization principle was violated in 96.1 % of animations.

Conclusions: Online animations in Biochemistry do not comply with all of the Mayer’s multimedia learning principles and hence their effectiveness as learning aids for I^st MBBS students may be reduced. To increase their effectiveness, the design quality of online Biochemistry animations may be enhanced by incorporating all the multimedia learning principles during the development stage.