Audio Narration vs Onscreen Text

Here are the key research points:

1. For learners who will not be getting audio, you need to have an option where the narration can be read.
2. The best results when using text + audio is when the text is short ‘blurbs’ that reinforces key points.
3. Having the narration text on-screen has mixed results in studies and does not appear to add value except in cases such as non-native speakers. Many users find it annoying because the narrator speaks slower than they read and will turn off the audio.
4. Having long text passages on screen that are supposed to be read simultaneous with different audio narration is highly distracting and is detrimental to learning.
5. Use first and second person language and learning agents where possible.
• Learners are more engaged and learn more by using "you" and "we" in the learning.
• Further, establish a person who is talking to you and directing the learning. According to Clark & Mayer, avatars – or "learning agents" - should speak via audio narration, use a conversational tone, and have familiar human accents. On-screen text or machine-generated audio does not work as well.