The impact of multimedia design on digital training preferences: A qualitative case study on employees’ orientation toward LMS-based content

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of multimedia design principles on adult learners’ preferences regarding digital training content. A qualitative case study was conducted with six employees from a corporate company in Istanbul, Turkey, employing structured interviews and LMS usage reports. Participants experienced two types of digital training materials: multimedia-based content designed according to Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning, and traditional text-based content. The findings revealed that participants perceived the multimedia-based content as more engaging, comprehensible, and motivating, highlighting factors such as audiovisual integration, coherence, reduced cognitive load, and personalized pacing. In contrast, the text-based content was described as monotonous, demotivating, and cognitively demanding. The study underscores the importance of applying multimedia principles in corporate e-learning environments to enhance learner engagement and retention.

Keywords

• digital learning
• multimedia principles
• learning management system (LMS)
• adult education

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