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

Year 2025, Volume: 8 Issue: 4 - ICETOL 2025 Special Issue, 460 - 472, 30.12.2025

Arife Ceren Gürsoy

https://doi.org/10.31681/jetol.1789495

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

Ethical Statement

This study was conducted with employees of a private company. The research did not require formal ethics committee approval under local regulations. However, company management granted permission, and all participants were informed about the study and provided their voluntary consent

Supporting Institution

Bahçeşehir University

Thanks

The author sincerely thanks all participants for their valuable contributions to this study

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