Visual and Spatial Modes in Science Learning

Abstract

This paper surveys some major trends from research on visual and spatial thinking coming from cognitive science, developmental psychology, science literacy, and science studies. It explores the role of visualisation in creativity, in building mental models, and in the communication of scientific ideas, in order to place these findings in the context of science education research and practice.

Keywords:

• Science education
• Transformational reasoning
• Visual and spatial learning

Notes

The original version of this paper is a part of epiSTEME‐2 reviews, edited by B. Choksi and C. Natarajan and published in 2008 by Macmillan India Ltd.

Visual presentation at epiSTEME‐2 held at the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, TIFR, Mumbai, in February 2007. See http://www.hbcse.tifr.res.in/ep2visual-presentation.pdf.