Enhancing the recall of presented material

Many educators distribute either complete or incomplete handouts so students can follow along with their lectures. This research examines a teaching system that combines computer-generated graphics presentations and detailed outline handouts with blanks added. An experiment found that this system produced significantly higher short-term recall of a presentation when compared with note-taking on lined paper and with no note-taking. Visual design variables, specifically slide typefaces and type, were also manipulated to examine whether they had independent effects on short-term recall or influenced the benefits from note-taking. No significant main effects or interactions were found for the visual aid variables.