CDLA · Module 2 — Learning science for digital media
Spatial and temporal contiguity, plus signaling: related words live next to related pictures, at the same time, with cues that highlight what matters.
About 16 min
Practice in the lesson player
Sorting, matching, quizzes, and the module gate stay behind a free account so scored answers are not public. The teaching notes below are the same cited curriculum.
01
Spatial contiguity (d = 0.79): printed words next to the corresponding part of the graphic. Temporal contiguity (d = 1.30): narration with the matching graphic, not after it. Signaling (d = 0.46): highlight essential material so search is not the lesson.
02
Open each region. This is the layout we refuse in Studio reviews.
Legend in a sidebar: Learners hunt between picture and legend. Integrate labels.
“Click next for the explanation”: Temporal split: the graphic and its words are on different screens.
Every box equally loud: No signaling. The eye has no entry point, so search becomes the task.