Creating visual explanations improves learning

• Published in: Cognitive research: principles and implications Vol. 1; no. 1; p. 27
• Main Authors: Bobek, Eliza, Tversky, Barbara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 07.12.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anatomy; Archaeology; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Cognitive Psychology; Embodied Cognition and STEM Learning; Experimental Psychology; Flow Charts; Graphs; Human Body; Inferences; Instructional Effectiveness; Learning Strategies; Neurosciences; Original; Original Article; Plate Tectonics; Psychology; Spatial Ability; Student Experience; Teacher Effectiveness; Visual discrimination learning; Learning; Visual communication; Dynamic system; Complex system; Spatial ability; Process; Structure; Diagrammatic reasoning; STEM

Many topics in science are notoriously difficult for students to learn. Mechanisms and processes outside student experience present particular challenges. While instruction typically involves visualizations, students usually explain in words. Because visual explanations can show parts and processes...