We also thank Nicholas Byrne, Dr. William Davis, Dr. Lisa Gloss, Dr. Nicole. Kelp, and Dr. Phil Mixter for providing data, feedback, and support. Background. 0%.
The effect of visual representation on cognitive load and student performance Jessie Arneson, Erika Offerdahl
School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University
Background
Study Design
Assessing toward Visual Literacy
Research Question 1
Learning Objectives
Visual literacy – the ability to interpret, construct, and reason with visual representations – is central to science communication and should be an explicit goal of instruction.
Higher-Order Cognitive Skills (HOCS)
Assessments
How does adding a visual element affect the cognitive demand of a task?
5. Which of the following statements is accurate regarding Reverse Phase Chromatography (usually RP-HPLC) and the elution profile shown in this figure? A) Protein B requires a lower concentration of acetonitrile to elute than does Protein A. B) Protein A has a higher net hydrophobic content that Protein B. C) This method is ideal for separating proteins based on their folded structure. D) The peptides SPARTANSRPCK and WHATASILLYDG would correspond to peaks A and B, respectively. E) Both A and B are accurate.
We proposed using a Bloom’s taxonomy1-based framework2 to backward design3 instruction targeting visual literacy skills.
100-level Intro Biology
Strictly Verbal
Learning Activities
Hypothesis 1 The additional visual element will require more processing, increase cognitive load, and decrease student performance on visual questions as compared to strictly verbal ones.
Improved visual literacy skills
5. Which of the following statements is accurate regarding Reverse Phase Chromatography (usually RP-HPLC)? A) Proteins that elute later require a lower concentration of acetonitrile to dissociate from the resin. B) Proteins that elute earlier have a higher net hydrophobic content. C) This method is ideal for separating proteins based on their folded structure. D) The peptide SPARTANSRPCK would elute from the column before the peptide WHATASILLYDG. E) Both A and B are accurate.
Visual 5. Which of the following statements is accurate regarding Reverse Phase Chromatography (usually RP-HPLC) and the elution profile shown in this figure? A) Protein B requires a lower concentration of acetonitrile to elute than does Protein A. B) Protein A has a higher net hydrophobic content that Protein B. C) This method is ideal for separating proteins based on their folded structure. D) The peptides SPARTANSRPCK and WHATASILLYDG would correspond to peaks A and B, respectively. E) Both A and B are accurate.
5. Which of the following statements is accurate regarding Reverse Phase Chromatography (usually RP-HPLC)? A) Proteins that elute later require a lower concentration of acetonitrile to dissociate from the resin. B) Proteins that elute earlier have a higher net hydrophobic content. C) This method is ideal for separating proteins based on their folded structure. D) The peptide SPARTANSRPCK would elute from the column before the peptide WHATASILLYDG. E) Both A and B are accurate.
Pilot Study Hypothesis 2
How does increasing practice with visual representations impact performance on visual-based assessment items?
* Mean % earned on visual items
80%
Fall 2014, we used the VBT to: • Increase low-stakes practice with visual representations • Improve alignment between practice and assessment of visual skills
Research Question 2 How does raising the cognitive level alter the effect of visual representation on cognitive load?
*
70%
Hypothesis 3 Adding visual representation will increase cognitive load, but will more likely exceed the working memory on HOCS questions, lowering performance to greater extent on visual HOCS questions than on LOCS visual questions.
Hypothesis 4 Dual channel processing will reduce cognitive load, but increase performance to greater extent on visual HOCS questions as compared to visual LOCS questions that may not exceed capacity of the verbal channel.
Including a visual element will allow dual channel processing, lower cognitive load, and increase student performance on visual questions as compared to strictly verbal ones.
60%
Compare Performance
50% 40% 30%
Preliminary Research
20% 10% 0%
2012 LOCs
2014
Current Data
HOCs
Mean percent points earned per visual exam question measuring LOCS or HOCS. (*p
