Mayer+Principles+Scavenger+Hunt

=Mayer Principles Scavenger Hunt =

**Split-Attention Principle**
The Split-Attention principle refers to the increased cognitive load required when learning or apprehension of content requires inputs from two disparate sources of data (Mayer p.135). This type of interaction is often experienced in a computing environment when attempting to straddle on-computer help (whether it be in a help viewer or separate pdf) while attempting to perform the specified actions within the software program. This unnecessary digression between sources of information causes increased cognitive load, and decreases the opportunity for a positive learning outcome (Mayer pp.141-142).

Example Wikipedia ([]) Wikipedia follows a logical chain of progression, not requiring a distinct “page turning” like its antiquated bound cousin. When researching chains of thought, the Wikipedia concept provides a steady flow of data, continuously linked //ad nauseam//. This cyclical interaction modality is especially helpful when understanding relationships between unfamiliar fields of study or people. Within Wikipedia, no secondary stream of data is necessary to maintain the information flow, only a mouse and a willing mind. The bound encyclopedia, however, relies on a constantly changing data stream (organized by volume or topic, for your convenience) to navigate this same circuitious route, resulting in split-attention between volumes, topics, or other mitigating factors.

**Non-example**
Facebook ([]) Facebook is a prime candidate for the troubles that results when multiple data streams overtake the cognitive load cycle, forcing split-attention to the extreme. The data structure on facebook is such that, when interacting on a normal level, one’s attention can be diverted by multiple channels of information, including a live feed, personal feed, photo feed, application requests, live chat, and the list goes on. Each of these distinct data types requires a unique type of processing ability, forcing split-attention when accessing this data. Even a casual user can quickly become overwhelmed when accessing data, due to this vast interrelatedness, and the distinctiveness of each data type.

**Collaboration Principle**
The Collaboration principle refers to the group benefit that can be created and sustained through the development of community and shared purpose, especially when related to learning (Mayer, p.247-48). As collaboration defines the face of the Web 2.0 world, harnessing the capabilities of these media types becomes ever more important as the younger generations rely on collaboration as a core and necessary competency.

Example
Twitter ([]) Twitter has developed the integration of collaboration to a new level. The site is based on sharing your status (or what you’re currently doing), but you can’t share this basic information without building your own community. In order to participate, you must “follow” people, implicitly agreeing to read what they’ve written. In return, people who are interested in you start “following” you, and in turn they become your “followers”. This symbiotic relationship builds the cornerstone of community and collaboration, using the interpersonal network to share and spread information through vetted, user-defined links. Without collaboration, a social network like Twitter would not be possible, but would merely exist as millions of small, unconnected islands of information and thought.

Non-example
Non-examples of something so integral as collaboration are hard to come by. Either the site is static, or it provides some outlet to define community. Comment-less Blog ([]) This blog is an example of a widespread phenomenon—using collaborative media with the exclusion of collaboration. In this case, the author uses an inherently public and collaborative media (blogging), but disallows the interaction implicit in a blogging relationship (commenting, friendly banter, dissenting arguments, et al). This activity eliminates any semblance of community or collaboration, creating a separated, non-collaborative environment. Each blog post serves as a reminder of the creator’s oneness and independence—the dissemination of information without regard for or participation by others.

**Navigational Principles**
The concept of navigation within the online environment is a complicated one. Content representation presents a particular difficulty, in that content must be presented in a new media, but generally follows the norms of display and order of another media (Mayer, p.297-99). Content must be sufficiently contextualized to be adequately understood, either within a metaphorical context, or through natural gestalt mechanisms.

Example Google Reader ([]), for example Google Reader takes advantage of classic paper-based usability within a comprehensive and appropriate digital form. The pdf reader takes advantage of natural metaphorical cues, such as page shape, positioning, and content structure to echo the natural cues of a printed book. Meanwhile, the navigational principles of a printed book, such as glossary or indexed content, table of contents, and other related information is dynamically linked in the digital world, even though its link is only implied in the physical text. This demonstrates the power of navigational principles, both in content delivery and metaphor of delivery and manipulation.

**Non-example**
Julie Garwood ([]) This site is an excellent example of using navigational principles to mirror content between the digital and physical worlds, as opposed to using the complementarian approach, taking appropriate elements from both worlds to shape the final products. In this site, a “metaphor-based” interface is created, recreating a desk from the “real-world”, and using the desk implements as cues for digital navigation. Not only is this type of site inherently unusable (and inaccessible), it also relies on specific physical to digital construct assumptions, which many dispose of when making the transition between media. In other words, a phone may be quite utilitarian in real life for contacting people, but may be quite meaningless as a place to tell friends about you online. (especially when linking to email, a completely different form of communication).