Learning from Media

Richard Clark's observation that ...media are mere vehicles that deliver instructionbut do not influence student achievement any more than the truck that delivers ourgroceries causes changes in our nutrition is as misunderstood today as it was whenfirst published in the Review of Educational Research in 1983. The convincing if littleread scientific evidence presented by Clark has divided the field and causedconsiderable concern, especially among the providers of newer media for learning.A collection of writings about the media effects debate, as it has come to be called,was published in 2001. Edited by Clark, Learning From Media was the first volume in the series Perspectives inInstructional Technology and Distance Education. The series editors are convinced that the writings of Clark and thosewho take issue with his position are of critical importance to the field of instructional technology, Thus, a revised, secondedition of Learning From Media is now being offered.The debate about the impact of media on learning remains a fundamental issue as new mediated approaches to teaching andlearning are developed, and Clark's work should be at the center of the discussion. The critical articles on both sides of thisdebate are contained in Learning From Media, 2nd Edition.