Employing Perceptual-Learning Research in Journalism and Communication

Abstract

Perceptual-learning methods teach concepts and skills using numerous, rapid-fire questions and immediate visual feedback. A quasi-experiment compared a digital perceptual-learning module (PLM) of 200 multiple choice questions on Associated Press style to an introductory journalism/strategic communication course in which students learned AP style. The PLM, which took only 70 min, significantly improved participants’ declarative and procedural knowledge of AP, and PLM participants outperformed classroom/control participants on AP editing accuracy. A delayed posttest seven weeks after initial posttest showed no decrement in AP editing accuracy among PLM participants. This is one of the first experiments testing perceptual-learning methods in journalism or communication.