Spatial Support for Visual Comparison of Life Science Images (Poster 49)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Eleven
  In Poster Session: Cognitive and Motivational Processes: Poster Session Four

Abstract

Visual comparison is integral to learning and reasoning in STEM domains. Prior work has found that visual comparison is more efficient and effective when it follows the spatial alignment principle, in which figures are laid out to support proper alignment of corresponding elements. In this study, we test this principle with middle-schoolers comparing life-science images (skeletons). We found, as prior work with adults has found, that visual comparison is facilitated by spatial alignment when figures are hard to make sense of. We conclude that spatial alignment has the potential to improve visual comparison in STEM materials, especially for challenging representations.

Authors

• Nina Simms, Northwestern University
  Presenting Author

• Bryan Matlen, WestEd
  Presenting Author

• Benjamin Jee, Worcester State University
  Presenting Author

• Dedre Gentner, Northwestern University
  Presenting Author