Visualization in Mathematics, Reading and Science Education

by Phillips, Linda M.; Norris, Stephen P.; Macnab, John S.

• ISBN13: 9789048188154
• ISBN10: 9048188156
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-09-17
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

Visualizations-either self-created or external visual stimuli used as an aid to learning-are probably as old as learning itself. Yet surprisingly little research has been done either into how precisely they help us learn, or how to produce ones that are effective pedagogical tools. This volume, a comprehensive review of theory and research on the use of visualization in mathematics, science and reading, contrasts the two dominant theoretical paradigms of how people construct and interpret visualizations. However, the authors never lose sight of practical applications, providing frequent, accessible synopses of research findings in addition to succinct summaries of how the research affects practice. Written by a team with decades of experience in research and practice in the three subjects, the chapters show how cognitive psychology can enhance practical pedagogy, place visualizations in their proper historical context, and analyze in detail the effectiveness of paper-, computer- and video-based visualizations, with some surprising results.

Table of Contents

Overview	p. xi
An Introduction to Visualization
A Commonsense View and Its Problems	p. 3
Mathematics	p. 3
Reading	p. 5
Science	p. 6
Why Visualization Might Be Useful	p. 6
A History of Visualization in Psychology and Science	p. 9
Early Psychological Research	p. 9
Recent Theories of Visualization in Cognitive Psychology	p. 10
The Development of Visualization in Science	p. 13
The Introduction of Computers to Scientific Visualization	p. 16
Concluding Comments	p. 18
The Concept of Visualization	p. 19
Methods	p. 19
The Definitions of Visualization	p. 22
What Constitutes a Good Visualization?	p. 27
Colour	p. 29
Realism	p. 30
Relevance	p. 31
Interactivity	p. 32
Animation	p. 33
Concluding Comments	p. 34
Cognitive Theory	p. 35
Cognitive Coding of Visual Images	p. 35
Using Cognitive Theories to Design Effective Visualization Objects	p. 37
Concluding Comments	p. 41
Current Educational Research
Visualizations and Mathematics	p. 45
Visual-Spatial Images	p. 46
Computer Visualizations and Visual Representations	p. 48
Concluding Comments	p. 50
Visualizations and Reading	p. 51
Visualization Objects as Motivators	p. 51
Comprehension	p. 52
Relevant Properties of Visualization Objects	p. 57
Multimedia	p. 60
Concluding Comments	p. 61
Visualizations and Science	p. 63
Visual Representations, Diagrams, and Animation	p. 63
Dynamic Media and Learning Performance	p. 66
Animations, Visualizations, and Conceptual Change	p. 67
Concluding Comments	p. 74
Cautions and Recommendations
Research and Guidelines on Computer-Generated Visualizations	p. 77
Concluding Comments, Recommendations, and Further Considerations	p. 83
Visualization Objects	p. 84
Animations and Computer-Based Visualization	p. 86
Recommendations for Teachers	p. 87
Areas for Future Research	p. 88
Final Word	p. 89
References	p. 91
Author Index	p. 101
Subject Index	p. 105
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