No matter which architecture or blend of architectures you are using, you will need to decide which mix of delivery media you will use, how you will communicate most effectively with the three modes of visuals, text, and audio; and which instructional methods will best help learners achieve the learning goals.

The delivery media is not the main determinant of training quality. Hundreds of media comparison experiments have shown that when the instructional modes and methods are the same, learning can be as good from a computer-delivered lesson as from a classroom lesson.

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Cognitive psychology research suggests that three major factors influence how much and how well we learn: ability, prior knowledge, and motivation.

Ability

The capacity with which we were born that enables us to acquire new skills and knowledge varies among individuals. Just like height or musculature, we arrive on the scene with a certain mental (or learning) potential. It may be unfair but some of us are born taller, slimmer, more physically attractive, or able to learn more quickly than others. This general learning ability is the intellectual capacity with which we are genetically endowed. It strongly influences our overall capacity to learn. Note the word "general". With greater general ability, we grasp more quickly, comprehend more easily, and recall more efficiently than others do. We seem to get it faster and play it back or even enhance it better than those not as intellectually able. Obviously, like musculature, the way in which intellectual ability is fostered and trained can seriously affect how well one's cerebral capabilities grow and develop. We have to be aware of the differences in ability and compensate for those who do not learn as rapidly as others. We also have to keep the more generally able learners constantly stimulated and challenged to maintain their focus.

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