The big wrench vs. integrated approaches: The great media debate

This article sums up the current state of the media debate by comparing and contrasting the seven positions presented in the ETR&D special issue (Vol. 42(2), 1994). Presented first is a review of the science-wide conflict between advocates of a given approach versus proponents of integrated approaches to the solving of complex problems. Advocates of a given approach are characterized as offering a “big wrench” (i.e., panacea) solution that can be generalized across problems. While in contrast are integrated approaches (e.g., the Swiss knife) that attempt to solve problems by bringing together a variety of variables and conditions. In section two is presented an example of an integrated approach that deals directly with the role of media in learning. Finally, the positions of the seven authors are compared and contrasted employing eight instructional design variables.