The "symbol systems approach" to the study of computers in education that is outlined avoids the pitfalls of past media research--particularly research on the effects of television on children's learning and knowledge--and asserts that media can be usefully distinguished in terms of the symbol systems they present and the kinds of…

An experiment investigated the effects of representational modes, presentation methods, and age on learning. Representation was in either iconic or symbolic verbal style, the verbal component was presented by either tape or booklet, and the pictorial component contrasted filmloops. Nine and eleven year old learners were exposed to a lesson on the…

Guilford's structure of intellect factors and his inherent form content of instructional materials were not confirmed as effective predictors of differences in learning from figural, symbolic, or semantic modes of visual presentation. The feasibility of using this model as an aid in design and production of instructional materials was investigated…