Employing Perceptual-Learning Research in Journalism and Communication

• Published in: Journalism studies (London, England) Vol. 20; no. 10; p. 1491
• Main Authors: Martin, Justin D, Naqvi, S Shageaa, Anghelcev, George
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Ltd 01-08-2019
• Subjects: Classrooms; Communication; Delayed; Editing; Journalism; Knowledge; Learning; Multiple choice questions; Teaching methods; Visual feedback
• ISSN: 1461-670X; 1469-9699
• DOI: 10.1080/1461670X.2018.1526643

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.