Giving Learner Control
The Analysis of Interactive Learning on the National Geographic Kids Website
In the digital age, educational websites are increasingly adopting interactive features to engage learners and improve comprehension. The National Geographic Kids article, “History of the National Parks,” is a child-friendly web resource that incorporates interactivity to communicate historical content in an accessible and engaging manner. This report evaluates the effectiveness of the site's interactivity in enhancing the learning experience.
Use of Interactivity to Enhance Learning
The site uses interactive elements such as clickable images, scroll-based navigation, and visually engaging layouts. These features support learner autonomy and encourage exploration. According to Mayer (2014), the Learner Control Principle suggests that users learn more effectively when they can navigate content at their own pace, which this site allows.
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Reference:
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Mayer, R. E. (2014). The learner control principle in multimedia learning. In The Cambridge handbook of multimedia learning (2nd ed., pp. 487–512). Cambridge University Press.
Effectiveness in Fostering Learning
Interactivity on the site is meaningfully integrated to aid understanding. Rogti (2024) notes that mobile-based interactive multimedia boosts thinking engagement and cooperation, while Moreillon (2015) highlights that digital tools can promote socially constructed learning. The site’s visuals and concise texts foster comprehension and retention for younger audiences.
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References:
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Moreillon, J. (2015). Increasing interactivity in the online learning environment: Using digital tools to support students in socially constructed meaning-making. TechTrends: Linking Research & Practice to Improve Learning, 59(3), 41–47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-015-0851-0
Rogti, M. (2024). The effect of mobile-based interactive multimedia on thinking engagement and cooperation. International Journal of Instruction, 17(1), 673–696. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2024.17135a
Enhancement vs. Distraction
Rather than distracting, the interactivity enhances learning by maintaining focus through simple, intuitive navigation. Chen et al. (2021) argue that emotionally engaging, user-controlled media improves motivation and learning outcomes—evident in this website’s design. Optimized visuals also prevent cognitive overload (Adobe Communications Team, 2022).
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References:
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Adobe Communications Team. (2022, February 2). How to optimize images for your website. Adobe Blog. https://blog.adobe.com/en/publish/2022/02/02/how-to-optimize-images-for-your-website
Chen, L., Zeng, S., & Wang, W. (2021). The influence of emotion and learner control on multimedia learning. Learning and Motivation, 76, 101762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lmot.2021.101762
Conclusion
The National Geographic Kids website effectively employs interactivity to foster engagement and learning. Its design reflects best practices in multimedia learning, offering a compelling model for educational web content