Creating Visual Representations to Support Learning in the "Messy" Domain of Teaching

• In Event: 16.062 - Poster Session 2
  In Poster Session: 16.062-4 - Learning Sciences SIG Poster Session

Abstract

Teaching is a complex cognitive domain with plentiful information of varying reliability. Although visual representations are powerful tools for organizing learning, few studies have applied them to the domain of teaching. In this study, pre-service teachers (PSTs) created multiple visual representations during an inquiry into teaching English Language Arts (ELA). Results showed that the instructional intervention was effective in eliciting a variety of visual forms. Analysis of student reflections showed that students found visuals well-suited to big picture questions as they worked to scope and focus their inquiry. They also found visuals helpful in “seeing” their problem clearly – identifying elements that were working, those that were not, and places where they needed to deepen their investigation with additional resources.

Authors

• Lee Michael Martin, University of California - Davis

• Steven Z. Athanases, University of California - Davis

• Sergio L. Sanchez, University of California - Davis

• Crystal Bronte Gray, University of California - Davis