Some current theories model the human mind as analagous to a computer.
The verbal subsystem processes text and audible words, while the imaginal subsystem handles pictures, sounds, touch, and taste. Pundits on both sides of the multimedia issue use these concepts and theories to support opposite positions. They believe multimedia is highly over-rated as an educational tool. The proponents use cue summation and multichannel communication theory to support their view that multimedia is a valuable tool for increasing learning. They feel that, as long as different forms of media are relevant to each other, learning will increase due to the reinforcing nature of multiple stimuli.