Generating Titles to Decorated Graphs

• In Event: Visual Displays

Abstract

Decorated graphs are commonly used for communicating quantitative information in mass media and school textbooks. The present study investigated the possible effect of pictorial decorations on students’ self-generated titles for given graphs. Four groups of 8th graders participated in the study (total N=120 boys and girls). All groups received the same set of graphs comprising pie, bar and scatter graphs. Three received decorated graphs and one (control) received plain graphs. No differences in mean title scores were found between research and control groups. Nevertheless, differences in performance patterns between low-medium achievers and high achievers suggest a possible hindering effect of decorative elements on students graph comprehension. These findings bear direct implications for the design of learning materials.

Authors

• Irit Aharon, The Hebrew Reali School in Haifa

• Billie Eilam, University of Haifa