Multimedia supports the learner in the following ways when coupled with effective instructional methods and strategies: 

• It addresses different learning styles and preferences.
• It allows students to see and hear events (dual coding) (Paivio as cited in Moore, Burton, and Myers, 1996).
• Is a vehicle for a richer learning context (Moore, et al.).
• Multimedia involves and focuses the learner resulting in increased attention (Moore, et al.).
• Cues from different modalities facilitate each other through cue summation (Severin as cited in Moore, et al.)
• Multimedia allows learner control.
• Multimedia allows review.
• It forces learner interaction behaviorally and cognitively.

Multimedia can negatively impact the learner in the following ways:  

• Multimedia can result in channel filling and confusion (Hartman as cited in Moore, et al., 1996).
• Multimedia can lack humanism.
• Multimedia can impede learning if not designed well. There may be a higher probability for poor design.
• The learner can be distracted due to channel jamming and away from intended message (Dwyer as cited in Moore, et al.).
• The multimedia program may not hold learner's interest.
• The learner may not complete learning activities.
• The learner's attention may be split across multiple media, reducing the quality of perception and interpretation.

Why Multimedia Works