|
Students in introductory science courses frequently have difficulty comprehending complex graphics such as contour maps. Computer-assisted instruction (CAI), because of its ability to convey the same information in different formats, may help students gain necessary graphic interpretation skills. This article describes a research project in which students practiced reading two temperature maps in either a standard black and white contour or a color-enhanced contour format. They were then divided into groups and tested using only standard contour maps. The tests examined comprehension of the distribution of sea surface temperature, oceanographic phosphate concentration, and brain activation. Results suggest that having students practice with differently formatted maps of the same information improves later comprehension of standard contour maps.
|
|
Intended for grade levels:
Type of resource:
Subject:
Technical requirements:
Adobe Acrobat reader
Cost / Copyright:
No cost
We encourage the reuse and dissemination of the material on this site for educational, noncommercial purposes as long as attribution is retained.
DLESE Catalog ID:
EVAL-TLKT-000-000-000-132
|
Related resources:
This resource is referenced by
Resource contact / Creator / Publisher:
Publisher:
National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT) Journal of Geoscience Education (JGE) http://www.nagt.org/nagt/jge/index.html
Author:
Holly A. Taylor Department of Psychology Tufts University
Author:
Carl E. Renshaw Department of Earth Sciences Dartmouth College
Author:
Erwin J. Choi Department of Psychology Tufts University |
