Visual Message Design and Learning: The Role of

Static and Dynamic Illustrations

Gary J. Anglin

Robert Towers

W. Howard LevieChapter 26

Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a

Still Image Example

Time

elapsed

images

1994 1997

After initial explosion in 1987, what would cause this knot to glow?

Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a

1994 1997•Light from initial explosion causes rings to glow

•Debris hurled outward at 1/10 speed of light

•Expanding shockwave causes rings to heat up and glow again

•Light from initial explosion causes rings to glow

•Debris hurled outward at 1/10 speed of light

•Expanding shockwave causes rings to heat up and glow again

Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a

Animated Image

Click on movieto play

Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations

Purpose of Chapter

•Introduce ID researchers in message creation to primary theories of picture perception

•Survey and critique visual message design research for static and animated (dynamic) illustrations

Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations

Major issues

Three lines of research on illustrations

•Picture Perception

•Memory for pictures

•Learning and cognition

Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations

Picture Perception

Major research questions:

•How do pictures carry meaning?

•What kinds of meanings can pictures carry?

•Is there a grammar of picturing?

•Is picture perception innate, or a learned skill?

Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations

•Realism defined as copying or conveying nature

•Measured by degree of mirroring real-world referents by either cognitive or physical properties

•Manipulate effects of “Realism Cues”: Amount of detail, color, motion

Picture Perception

Major research findings:

Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations

Memory Models

Major research question:

Is memory recall from images greater than from memory recall from words?

Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations

Memory Models

•Significant evidence that memory from pictures is better than memory from words

•Coined in research as “Picture Superiority Effect”

•Three distinct theories provided to support superiority effect

Major research findings:

Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations

Static Pictures

Learning & Cognition Findings:

•Static visual illustrations can facilitate the acquisition of knowledge when presented with text materials

•Facilitative effects not present across all learning environments

Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations

Most useful facts:

Static Illustrations

•Illustrations used in learning to read not helpful

•Illustrations with text-redundant information can facilitate learning

•Illustration variables like: size, page position, style, color and degree of realism may affect attention, but not significant aid in learning

Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations

Dynamic Pictures

Learning & Cognition Findings:

•Animation effective when motion is critical attribute of concept being presented

•Animation effective when motion used to cue or draw viewer’s attention to material being presented

Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations

Most useful facts:

Dynamic Illustrations

•Research on effects of dynamic visuals very limited

•Early research on dynamic visuals lacked controls

•Facilitative effects not present for animated treatments across all learning levels

•Animation should only be used when its attributes congruent to learning task

Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations

Future trends & research possibilities:

Static Illustrations

•Focus on manner in which static illustrations function to facilitate learning: attentional, retentional, or explicative roles

•Test grammar illustration model of Duchastel

•Test framework illustration model of Levie

Message Design and Learning: Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations

Future trends & research possibilities:

Dynamic Illustrations

•Validation of functional frameworks by Rieber, and Park and Hopkins

•Demonstrate how learners use an animated sequence in the learning process

•Demonstrate how effects of experience, prior knowledge, developmental level, and aptitude patterns effect learning with dynamic images

If the three rings shown do not intersect, how might they be oriented with respect to each other?

Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a

Still Image Example

Hubble Animation

Rings may be painted on an invisible hourglass or cone shape by a high energy beam of radiation sweeping across gas, like search light against clouds

Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a

Hubble Animation

Rings may be painted on an invisible hourglass or cone shape by a high energy beam of radiation sweeping across gas, like search light against clouds

Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a

Animated Image

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WFPC2 Image: Orion Nebula

• Mosaic 15 fields, 2.5 light years across

• Glowing gas illuminated & heated by ultraviolet light and stars in lower left

How many stars can you see in blue square area?

Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a

• Active chaotic star forming region

• Stars in yellow & orange

• Hydrogen gas shown in blue

Orion Nebula

Using Near Infrared Camera (NICMOS), what do you see occurring?

Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a

Animation of Wide Field Camera (WFPC2) to Near Infrared Camera (NICMOS)

Space Telescope Science Institute Supernova 1987a

Animated Image

Click on movieto play