Effects of Auditory and Written-Visual Stimulus on Learning and Retention

Abstract

With the increased use of technology in education, the use of media dissemination devices such as video tape players, film strip projectors, tape recorders, etc., are often employed by the teacher in the presentation of information. The purpose of this study was to compare the learning of one particular lesson by use of the audio medium versus the printed medium. Seventy-five second grade children were pretested, presented with one of the two learning stimuli, and posttested twice to determine differential learning and/or retention. Statistical analysis was performed on the entire sample and subdivided by sex and socio-economic level. Significant indications were obtained that the auditory stimulus was superior to the written stimulus in a learning situation.