Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Scientific Visualization In Two PowerPoint Delivery Strategies on Science Learning for Preservice Science Teachers

  • Published:
International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Slideware applications (e.g., PowerPoint) have become more prevalent in instruction across disciplines. This is especially true at post secondary institutions where many instructors are using slideware as a sole instructional tool. This study evaluated the relative effectiveness of scientific visualization in two PowerPoint delivery strategies on science learning for preservice teachers. Twenty-five preservice teachers enrolled in an undergraduate introduction to science education class were stratified into two PowerPoint delivery strategies. The strategies were: PowerPoint with instructor voiceover narration and PowerPoint without voiceover. Post-test Mann-Whitney U suggested no differences (p > 0.05) in science learning across the two strategies. Further, eye tracking analysis suggests voiceover guides the PowerPoint user to graphics and text, but voiceover does not significantly affect learning. Results suggest immediacy with technology doesn't necessarily produce meaningful learning. Good teaching still is the key component of meaningful learning.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baddeley, A. (1999). Human memory. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, C. & Chambers, J. (1996). Interactive learning and technology in the US science and mathematics reform movement. British Journal of Educational Technology, 27(2), 123–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baker, D.R. & Piburn, M.D. (1997). Constructing science in middle and secondary school classrooms. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berg, B.L. (2001). Qualitative research methods for the social sciences (4th edn.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruner, J. (1990). Acts of meaning (Vol. 8). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, S. (2003). Process vs. science content knowledge of middle school students constructing contour maps: A spatial, inquiry-based task. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, Philadelphia, PA.

  • CEO Forum (2000). The power of digital learning: Integrating digital content (year three report). Washington, D.C.

  • Chapman, B. (2003). Product shootout: PowerPoint to e-learning. Training, 40(5), 40–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cheek, D. (1992). Thinking constructively about science, technology, and society education. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, J.M. & Paivio, A. (1991). Dual coding theory and education. Educational Psychology Review, 71, 64–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, J., Cordero, F., Cottrill, J., Czarnocha, B., DeVries, D.J., St. John, D., et al. (1997). Constructing a schema: The case of the chain rule. The Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 16(4), 345–364.

  • Duffy, T.M. & Cunningham, D.J. (1996). Constructivism: Implications for the design and delivery of instruction. In D.H. Jonassen (Ed.), Handbook of research for educational communications and technology. New York: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey, B.A. & Birnbaum, D.J. (2002). Learners' perceptions on the value of PowerPoint in lectures. Springfield, VA: ERIC Document Reproduction No. ED 467192.

  • Friedman, J.S. & diSessa, A.A. (1999). What students should know about technology: The case of scientific visualization. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 8(3), 175–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glasser, W. (1990). The quality school: Managing students without coercion. New York: Harper & Row.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jonassen, D.H. & McAleese, T.M.R. (1993). A manifesto for a constructivist approach to technology in higher education. In T. Duffy, D.H. Jonassen & J. Lowyck (Eds.), Designing environments for constructivist learning (pp. 231–247). Berlin: Springer Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kalyuga, S., Chandler, P. & Sweller, J. (1999). Managing split-attention and redundancy in multimedia instruction. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 13(4), 351–371.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leron, U. & Hazzan, O. (1998). Computers and applied constructivism. In D. Tinsley & D.C. Johnson (Eds.), Information and communications technologies in school mathematics (pp. 195–203). Boca Raton, FL: Chapman and Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lunenburg, F.C. (1998). Constructivism and technology: Instructional designs for successful education reform. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 2, 75–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacEachren, A.M. & Kraak, M.-J. (2001). Research challenges in geovisualization. Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 28(1), 3–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, R.E. & Gallini, J.K. (1990). When is an illustration worth ten thousand words? Journal of Educational Psychology, 82, 715–726.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, R.E. & Moreno, R. (1998). A split-attention effect in multimedia learning: Evidence for dual processing systems in working memory. Journal of Educational Psychology, 90, 312–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayer, R.E. & Moreno, R. (2003). Nine ways to reduce cognitive load in multimedia learning. Educational Psychologist, 38, 43–52.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, C. (2003). Study reveals shift in digital divide for students. eSchool News online, 20 March 2003.

  • Osguthorpe, R. T. (2003). Blended learning environments: Definitions and directions. The Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 4(3), 227–233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paivio, A. (1983). The empirical case for dual coding. In J.C. Yulle (Ed.), Imagery, memory and cognition (pp. 307–332). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paivio, A. (1986). Mental representations: A dual coding approach. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, A. (1999). Interaction in distance education: The critical conversation. Educational Technology Review, 12, 13–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Petersen, R. (2003). “Real world” connections through videoconferencing – We're closer than you think! TechTrends, 44(6), 5–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phye, G.D. (1997). Learning and remembering: The basis for personal knowledge construction. In G.D. Phye (Ed.), Handbook of academic learning: Construction of knowledge (pp. 47–64). San Diego, CA: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie, S.M. (2002). Student positioning within groups during science activities. Research in Science Education, 32, 35–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schneiderman, B. (1998). Designing the user interface: Strategies for effective human-computer interaction (3rd edn.). Reading, MA: Addison-Westley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, G., Brown, R. & Bromiley, P. (1998). Strategic stories: How 3M is rewriting business planning. Harvard Business Review, 76, 42–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shymansky, J.A. (1992). Using constructivist ideas to teach science teachers about constructivist ideas, or teachers are student too! Journal of Science Teacher Education, 3(2), 53–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegele, L. (2001). The beast of complexity. The Economist. 14 April 2001.

  • Sweller, J. (1990). On the limited evidence for the effectiveness of teaching general problem-solving strategies. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 21(5), 411–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sweller, J., Van Merrienboer, J. & Paas, F. (1998). Cognitive architecture and instructional design. Educational Psychology Review, 10, 251–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tindall-Ford, S., Chandler, P. & Sweller, J. (1997). When two sensory modes are better than one. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 3, 257–287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tinker, R.F. & Thornton, R.K. (1992). Constructing student knowledge in science. In E. Scanlon & T. O'Shea (Eds.), New directions in educational technology (pp. 153–170). Berlin, Germany: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tufte, E.R. (1983). The visual display of quantitative information. Cheshire, CT: Graphics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tufte, E.R. (2003). The cognitive style of PowerPoint. Cheshire, CT: Graphics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wickens, C.D. (1992). Engineering psychology and human performance (2nd edn.). Champaign-Urbana, IL: Harper Collins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zemsky, R. & Massey, W.F. (2004). Why the e-learning boom went bust. The Chronicle of Higher Education, 50, B6, 9 July 2004.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leonard A. Annetta.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wiebe, E.N., Slykhuis, D.A. & Annetta, L.A. Evaluating the Effectiveness of Scientific Visualization In Two PowerPoint Delivery Strategies on Science Learning for Preservice Science Teachers. Int J Sci Math Educ 5, 329–348 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-006-9041-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-006-9041-z

Key words

Navigation