Developed an integrated view of learning from verbal and pictorial representations and analyzed the effects of different kinds of multiple external representations on the structure of mental models. Results from 60 college students indicate that the structure of graphics affects the structure of the mental model. (SLD)

Studied the selective processing of information in dynamic graphics by 12 undergraduates who received training aided by animation and 12 who did not. Results indicate selective processing of the animation that involved perceptually driven dynamic effects and raise questions about the assumed superiority of animations over static graphics. (SLD)

Studied the effects of including static or dynamic visuals in an expository text on a learning outcome and the use of learning strategies when working with these visuals. Results for 60 undergraduates for both types of illustration indicate different frequencies in the use of learning strategies relevant for the learning outcome. (SLD)

Studied the effects of different kinds of instructional help on the process of coherence formation from multiple representations by learners with different prior knowledge. Results for 3 groups of college students (n=87) show that directive help is effective for recall performance because of its summarizing and repeating function. (SLD)