Visual Principles “The Computer as an Educational Tool: Productivity and Problem Solving” ©Richard C. Forcier and Don E. Descy.

Visual PrinciplesVisual Principles

““The Computer as an Educational Tool: The Computer as an Educational Tool:

Productivity and Problem Solving” Productivity and Problem Solving”

©Richard C. Forcier and ©Richard C. Forcier and

Don E. DescyDon E. Descy

Examples of Visuals Examples of Visuals

• TransparenciesTransparencies

• SlidesSlides

• Video programsVideo programs

• Computer coursewareComputer courseware

Role of VisualsRole of Visuals

• Motivate the learnersMotivate the learners

• Attract attentionAttract attention

• Hold attentionHold attention

• Simplify difficult informationSimplify difficult information– Each x has one yEach x has one y– Vertical line testVertical line test

Visual LiteracyVisual Literacy

• Learned ability to interpret Learned ability to interpret messagesmessages

• Input strategies - help decodeInput strategies - help decode

• Output strategies - help encodeOutput strategies - help encode

Decoding: Interpreting Decoding: Interpreting VisualsVisuals

• Developmental effectsDevelopmental effects– Parts not the wholeParts not the whole

• Cultural effectsCultural effects– Old westOld west

• Visual preferencesVisual preferences

Encoding: Creating VisualsEncoding: Creating Visuals

• Writing spurs readingWriting spurs reading

• Creating PowerPointsCreating PowerPoints– ComputersComputers– ClipartClipart

Visual DesignVisual Design

• ElementsElements

• PatternsPatterns

• ArrangementArrangement

• Visual planning toolsVisual planning tools

• Digital imagesDigital images

Visual ElementsVisual Elements

• Visual - how realisticVisual - how realistic

• Analogic - use of analogiesAnalogic - use of analogies

• Organizational Organizational

Verbal ElementsVerbal Elements

• Visible letteringVisible lettering

• Letter styleLetter style– Sans serif when projectedSans serif when projected– Simple serif when written (Simple serif when written (PalatinoPalatino))

• Typefaces - no more than fourTypefaces - no more than four

• Capitals only when necessaryCapitals only when necessary

Verbal Elements Verbal Elements (Continued)(Continued)

• Color, size, and space between Color, size, and space between lettersletters

• Space between linesSpace between lines

• Add texture - make it 3DAdd texture - make it 3D

• InteractiveInteractive

Element of SurpriseElement of Surprise

• Unusual metaphorUnusual metaphor

• Dramatic change in Dramatic change in sizesize• Dramatic change in Dramatic change in colorcolor• Helps keep attentionHelps keep attention

Pattern Pattern

• Alignment - words with correct Alignment - words with correct picturepicture

• ShapeShape– Rule of 3rdsRule of 3rds– Z, L, T, or U shapeZ, L, T, or U shape

• BalanceBalance– Informal is bestInformal is best

Color SchemeColor Scheme

• Complimentary colorsComplimentary colors

• Analogous colorsAnalogous colors

• Important to use contrastImportant to use contrast

Color AppealColor Appeal

• Cool = blue, green, violetCool = blue, green, violet

• Warm = red, orangeWarm = red, orange

• Use warm when Use warm when highlightinghighlighting

• Cultural differences Cultural differences with colorwith color

Arrangement Arrangement

• Figure-ground contrastFigure-ground contrast

• ConsistencyConsistency– Keep pictures in same spotKeep pictures in same spot

• ProximityProximity

• DirectionalsDirectionals

ProximityProximity

• Related elements closeRelated elements close• Nonrelated elements farther Nonrelated elements farther

apartapartFootballFootballSkiingSkiingWeightliftingWeightliftingBaseballBaseball

Good ProximityGood Proximity

• FootballFootball

• WeightliftingWeightlifting

• BaseballBaseball

• SkiingSkiing

DirectionalsDirectionals

• ArrowsArrows

• Bold typeBold type

• BulletsBullets

• ColorColor

Visual Planning ToolsVisual Planning Tools

• StoryboardStoryboard

• Types of lettersTypes of letters

• Drawing, sketching, and Drawing, sketching, and cartooningcartooning

Digital ImagesDigital Images

• CamerasCameras

• ScannersScanners

• Photo CD’sPhoto CD’s

Photo CD’sPhoto CD’s

• Instead of printsInstead of prints

• One CD stores 100–150 picturesOne CD stores 100–150 pictures

• Additional pictures can be addedAdditional pictures can be added