Identifying variables and constructing relations: Effects of multiple images and texts stimuli

Billie Eilam, Yael Poyas

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

Does learning with multimedia promote students' ability to identify variables and infer relations among various elements within given textual and visual information, thus deepening system thinking? This study examined 150 undergraduate students' ability to identify systems' components (i.e., variables), overt and covert relations, as well as construct new relations among these variables, based either on a multiple-representation (MR) display that resembled rich textbook materials (n=82) or a single-representation (SR) text-only display (n=68). Findings showed that the experimental MR group elicited relations better than the controls (SR), regarding relations' accuracy, descriptive level, and novelty, and regarding number of information sources and diversity of variables used. Discussion focused on different visual representation types and on implications of this ecologically valid study for enhancing students' system thinking.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)207-215
Number of pages9
JournalComputer-Supported Collaborative Learning Conference, CSCL
Issue numberPART 1
StatePublished - 2008
EventInternational Perspectives in the Learning Sciences: Cre8ing a Learning World - 8th International Conference for the Learning Sciences, ICLS 2008 - Utrecht, Netherlands
Duration: 23 Jun 200828 Jun 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Education

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