Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Developing abstract thinking abilities is essen-
tial both in countless areas of life and in education,
as abstract thinking can be seen indispensable
when one strives to be virtuous in mathematics,
philosophy, poetry, or science. Non-physical,
numerical data (such as network system data or
stock market values) often refers to naturally oc-
curring objects and related events. In such cases
metaphors are often applied to process complex
information. Interdisciplinary concepts, such as
design cognition, user engagement, aesthetics, and
art can contribute to knowledge comprehension as
well as enhance information visualization (Vande
Moere 2008). Moreover, in a study on wearable
devices Fajardo and Vande Moere (2008) found
that “a greater number of wearers appreciated the
abstract metaphor consistently more than the overt
one, in particular because of its aesthetic qualities,
such as the use of expressive signs and symbols.”
Visualization in educational psychology
provides ability to create symbols that are un-
derstandable on the basis of convention, com-
municates knowledge and emotional reactions,
changes the tacit knowledge into the explicit one
as mental representations and images, and helps
find meaningful patterns and structural relations
in graphical displays of data. According to Edward
Tufte (1983/2001, 1990, 1997), graphical display
of information enhances density, complexity,
dimensionality, and beauty of communication.
Texts are linear and static, while pictorial and
time-based constructions of net media are dynamic
and often interactive. Visual learning projects aim
to support learning process with the use of visual
signs, symbols, icons, metaphors, visuals, photo-
graphs, and verbal coding. Visualizing knowledge
in graphical form may contribute to combining
both the precise and expressive way of thinking
and embolden students to link creative imagery
with the analytic rationality. Learning projects
are aimed at encouraging non-linear thinking and
enhancing image quality in student work.
Integration of the art and sciences related ma-
terials allows overlapping of the critical and visual
thinking. Students learn about the data-related ma-
terial in a visual way and create projects showing
their understanding of the concept. Science-based
topics inspire learners to create artistic, often meta-
phorical presentations. The hands-on instruction
involves concrete operational rather than abstract
thinking mode. Metaphorical imaging and abstract
thinking prevail over hands-on instruction and mere
memorization when it comes to learning higher-
level thinking concepts and tasks such as writing
programs and creating computer graphics. Learning
through visualizing ideas in graphical form encour-
ages learners to expand their visual literacy through
artistic presentation, and present their findings with
visual power. Projects are aimed to evoke a holistic,
synaesthetic mode of learning engaging visual,
verbal, and manual modes of action. Visual style
of learning may reduce intrinsic cognitive load in
structuring information, by shifting the explaining
process from abstract to meaningful parts, which
may be easier to learn and remember. Students
draw sketches in order to capture the essence of
the process under study, and control composition
of their projects.
CONCLUSION
In this chapter, a way of perceptual imaging
is discussed, with the use of art and graphic
metaphors for concept visualization. An iconic
or symbolic image, representation inspired by
the rules and phenomena observed in nature, as
well as simulation or visualization of concepts
and events presented in metaphorical way may all
be designated as a metaphor - a cognitive opera-
tion, which makes us see one thing in terms of
another and create a new meaning. A metaphor
indirectly suggests the meaning of something
not easily understood, and transfers this meaning
from one thing to another. Metaphors, especially
biologically inspired metaphors are widely used
in computing, data visualization, information
visualization, data mining, and semantic web.
