Week 6: Reading 3

The Great Media Debate seems similar to "Learning Architect". In that, can one architect someone else's covert process of learning? One person brought up the idea that speech may be considered a media. So, would method then translate to intent, or thought?

The question is, does media affect learning?

Initially, I'd have to disagree. Media is the vehicle for delivery (re: Clark's delivery truck analogy). While media may cause different kinds of responses in a learner based on the presentation; the plan for instruction, the content, etc. is what really affects learning. Without the instructional content, the media (vehicle) has no value.

However, media really is the delivery of a method. So, if the correct media is used (visual representation for visual information, vs. aural), learning has a BETTER chance at taking place than with an ill-fitted medium.

Can media make bad instructional design good??