In view of potential demand for skilled engineers and competent researchers in the biofuels field, we have identified a significant gap between advanced biofuels research and undergraduate biofuels education in chemical engineering. To help bridge this gap, we created educational materials that systematically integrate biofuels technologies into…

When students come to class, they bring with them the most powerful processor known to man--the human brain! Our job as teachers is to discover and implement practices that will make the most effective use of those brains. The human brain is a very powerful processor of sensory information, especially with regard to the sense of vision. We can…

Good learning experiences ask students to investigate and make sense of the world. While there are many ways to do this, K-12 curriculum has traditionally skewed toward reading and writing to interpret and express students' sense-making. But there is another way. Infographics represent data and ideas visually, in pictures, engaging more parts of…

When it comes to helping others learn, there is a simple piece of advice that is often recommended to educators: Show! Don't tell. While appealing to the visual learning style of an audience is always a good idea, there is a growing expectation for more than just static images. They want video, which can deliver more dynamic presentations with…

Sensory overload and split attention result in reduced learning when instructors read slides with bullet points and complex graphs during a lecture. Conversely, slides containing relevant visual elements, when accompanied by instructor narration, use both the visual and verbal channels of a student's working memory, thus improving the chances of…

Description of ways in which computers might be used to teach visual concepts discusses hypermedia systems; describes computer-generated tutorials; explains the use of computers to create learning aids such as concept maps, feature spaces, and structural models; and gives examples of visual concept teaching in medical education. (10 references)…

Arguing that a well designed graphical display can function as a memory store, this article suggests three principles for the design and use of computer graphics: parsimony, accessibility, and reflection. It is suggested that "progressive graphics" are particularly suited to computer implementation. (Author/MBR)

Discusses the suitability of multimedia technology for the representation of complex visual events in the classroom and describes a program that uses videodisk and HyperCard to teach students about the factors involved in the creation of theatrical performances. Principles to guide the design of multimedia applications for the classroom are…

The biochemistry lecture is often the place where students receive the greatest exposure to the structural nature of biomolecules. The use of molecular visualization software and web-based animated tutorials has enhanced the way instructors teach this important area of structural biology. Using the software and tutorials in class is an excellent…

Describes Euroland, a virtual world that was generated within the context of a joint research project between The Netherlands and Italy aimed at the facilitation of cross-cultural communication and collaborative knowledge building between schools using a variety of communication formats, including text-based versus visual and synchronous versus…

Discusses current changes in the structures of British art education in light of the 1988 Education Reform Act (ERA), and describes the use of microcomputers to develop visual sensitivity and skills. A test model is discussed which examines an experiential approach toward the teaching, evaluation, and interpretation of color theory. (five…

The efficacy of using graphic representations of concepts, which are more readily generated on a computer than in traditional texts, was studied. The study, which involved teaching computer programming, is described. The necessity of further research is discussed. (JL)

Visual reasoning is an essential skill for engineers. This article describes an interactive multimedia application (Visual Reasoning Tutor) that provides a foundation in visual reasoning by exploiting the missing view problem. Presents an overview of system components, a complete sample exercise, and test results for several prototypes used in…

Using computer graphics such as drawings, charts, and figures in textual instruction can enhance learning by providing a spatial concept of what is being read. It is important for instructional designers to determine the specific instructional objectives to be met, what level of comprehension they want learners to achieve, and how to use the…

The authors review their work on helping physicaly handicapped persons gain spatial cognition through the interactive graphics learning environment of a computer LOGO system. The findings are said to demonstrate that the LOGO tasks are a viable part of a school curriculum for students with cerebral palsy, as shown by severely/profoundly…