Multimedia Presentations In Educational Measurement And Statistics: Design Considerations And Instructional Approaches

Proper interpretation of standardized test scores is a crucial skill for K-12 teachers and school personnel; however, many do not have sufficient knowledge of measurement concepts to appropriately interpret and communicate test results. In a recent four-year project funded by the National Science Foundation, three web-based instructional presentations in educational measurement and statistics were developed and evaluated (Zwick et al., 2008). These modules were found to be particularly effective for pre-service K-12 teachers. The primary challenge of the project was to deliver the material in three short 25-minute web-based presentations. In this paper, we discuss the design principles, technical considerations, and specific instructional approaches implemented in the modules, invoking principles from cognitive psychology research. Based on evidence gathered from our project and previous research in teacher education and multimedia learning, we offer suggestions for presenting educational measurement and statistics concepts in a multimedia learning environment.