Graphicacy: Difference between revisions
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'''Graphicacy''' is concerned with the capacities people require in order to interpret and generate information in the form of [[graphics]]. |
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{{original research|date=April 2021}}}} |
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'''Graphicacy''' is defined as the ability to understand and present information in the form of sketches, photographs, diagrams, maps, plans, charts, graphs and other non-textual formats.<ref>Aldrich, F., & Sheppard, L. (2000). Graphicacy; The fourth 'R'? Primary Science Review, 64, 8–11.</ref> |
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Our society is becoming increasingly reliant on graphics to communicate information. Until recently, words and numbers were the main vehicles for communication because of their relative ease of production and distribution compared with graphics. However, advances in [[information and communications technology]] and [[visualization]] techniques now mean that graphics are far more readily available and widely used than ever before. The 21st century is an age in which it is becoming essential for informed citizens to be able to communicate using graphics, much as those in previous centuries needed to be [[literate]] and [[numerate]]. Today's citizens must be able to comprehend the [[information graphics]] produced by others and this requires that they interpret such information appropriately. However, it is also becoming important that people can present information effectively to others by means of graphics they have generated themselves. |
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==Origin== |
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⚫ | Interpretation of graphics is |
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The word graphicacy was coined by geographers [[William Balchin]] and [[Alice Coleman]]<ref>Balchin, W. G. V. and Coleman, A. 'Graphicacy should be the fourth ace in the pack' ''Times Educational Supplement'' (5th November 1965)</ref> as a characterisation of visuo-spatial and cartographic abilities, "the communication of spatial information that cannot be conveyed adequately by verbal or numerical means", including the whole field of graphic arts and much of geography, cartography, computer-graphics, and photography. The word "graphicacy" was chosen by analogy with [[literacy]], [[numeracy]] and [[articulacy]].<ref>Balchin, W. G. V. 'Graphicacy', ''Geography'', Geographical Association, 1972, 57, pp. 185–195</ref> |
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==Differences from other skills== |
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⚫ | Interpretation of graphics is loosely analogous to the process of [[reading (activity)|reading]] [[Writing|text]], while generation of graphics is the counterpart of writing text. However, text and graphics are based on very different [[symbol]] [[system]]s. For example, whereas text is structured according to formal organisational rules that apply irrespective of the content, this is not the case for graphics. With text [[structure]], the units of [[information]] ([[word]]s) are expected to be organised according to broad conventions (such as being sequenced in orderly rows starting from top left and progressing down the page). However graphics are not subject to a similarly stringent set of structural conventions. Instead, it is the content itself that determines the nature of the graphic entities and the way they are arranged. For example, the [[shape|form]] and spatial arrangement of the items that comprise the actual subject matter being represented in the graphic are used as the basis for the graphic entities and structure that are displayed in the graphic. This is not the case with written text where the words and their arrangement bear no resemblance to the represented subject matter. |
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Because of these and other fundamental differences between text and graphics, the processes involved in [[Understanding|comprehension]] and production of graphics are distinguished from those involved in comprehension and production of text. |
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==Issues== |
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== Nature of graphics == |
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The concept of graphicacy |
The concept of graphicacy acknowledges the characteristic features of graphic information that distinguish it from other forms of representation such as [[Words|verbal]] and numerical information. Separating graphicacy from [[literacy]] and [[numeracy]] delineates the distinctive and complementary types of contributions that graphics, words, and numbers each make in human communication. |
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The interpretative components of graphicacy skills are relevant in the increasing range of situations where graphics carry the primary responsibility for communication. Early recognition of the importance of graphicacy came from disciplines such as geography, science and mathematics in which graphics play a key role. Educators in these and similar disciplines have become increasingly concerned with the capacities of students to comprehend information presented by way of graphics. |
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The interpretation of certain types of graphics can sometimes be very challenging. In addition, it is thought{{who|date=April 2021}} that graphicacy skills are largely learned rather than innate and that a viewer's capacity to interpret particular types of graphics is related to their background knowledge, in particular knowledge about the specific ''graphic system'' used to depict the subject matter, and knowledge about the ''subject matter'' that is depicted in the graphic. Severe deficiencies in either of these aspects of background knowledge may prevent a viewer from comprehending a graphic. |
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==Example== |
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There are some fundamental differences between written text and a graphic representation. For example, a brief explanation of the structure of a bowstring arch bridge may read: |
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<blockquote>''Spanning the river is the bridge’s arch structure with its ends carried by [[abutment]]s on each bank. The deck of the bridge is suspended by struts attached to the arch and runs between the banks. Each end of the deck is connected to the arch's legs.''</blockquote> |
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The main items mentioned, extracted and arranged in their order of mention in the text, would read: |
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<blockquote>''River; Bridge; Arch; Ends of arch; Abutments; Banks; Deck; Bridge; Struts; Arch; Banks; Ends of deck; Arch legs''</blockquote> |
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The signs used to represent parts of the bridge in words are very different from the signs used in the picture of the bridge. Furthermore, the same items (such as bridge, arch, and banks) are often mentioned more than once in the text version, due to the constraints of text as a representational system. However, in a graphic of this bridge, such information would only need to appear once. The arrangement of these items is also different in the text from what it would be in a graphic. When compared with the order of mention in the text with this depiction, the text is not arranged in a way that would directly map onto the bridge, but presents the bridge's components in a linear sequence that gives no visual indication of the bridge's structure. |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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* Aldrich, F., & Sheppard, L. (2000). Graphicacy; The fourth 'R'? Primary Science Review, 64, 8–11. |
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* Anning, A. (2003). Pathways to the graphicacy club: The crossroad of home and pre-school. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, vol. 3, no 1, 5–35. |
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* Balchin, W.G.(1976). Graphicacy. American Cartographer, 3 (1). |
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* Balchin, W.G.(1985). Graphicacy comes of age, Teaching Geography, 11 (1), 8–9. |
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* Boardman, D. (1990). Graphicacy revisited: mapping abilities and gender differences, Educational Review, 42(1), pp. 57–64. |
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* Cox, R,. Romero, P., du Boulay, B, & Lutz, R (2004). A Cognitive Processing Perspective on Student Programmers' Graphicacy. Diagrams 2004: 344–346. |
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* Hadjidemetriou, C., & Williams, J. (2002). Children's graphical conceptions. Research in Mathematics Education, 4, 69–87. |
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* Matthews, M. H. (1986). Gender, graphicacy and geography, Educational Review, 38 (3), 259–271. |
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* Milsom, D. (1987. Basic Graphicacy, Nelson Thornes. |
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* Postigo, Y., & Pozo, J. I. (2004). On the Road to Graphicacy: The learning of graphical representation systems. Educational Psychology, 24(5), 623–644. |
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* Roth, W.-M., Pozzer-Ardenghi, L., & Han, J. Y. (2005). Critical Graphicacy: Understanding Visual Representation Practices in School Science Series: Science & Technology Education Library, Vol. 26. New York: Springer. {{ISBN|1-4020-3375-3}}. |
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* [[Howard Wainer|Wainer, H.]] (1980). A test of graphicacy in children. Applied Psychological Measurement, 4, 331–340. |
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* Wilmot, P.D (1999). Graphicacy as a Form of Communication The South African Geographical Journal, 81(2) |
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[[Category:Aptitude]] |
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[[Category:Skills]] |
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[[Category:Pedagogy]] |
Latest revision as of 12:35, 8 June 2022
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
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Graphicacy is defined as the ability to understand and present information in the form of sketches, photographs, diagrams, maps, plans, charts, graphs and other non-textual formats.[1]
Origin
[edit]The word graphicacy was coined by geographers William Balchin and Alice Coleman[2] as a characterisation of visuo-spatial and cartographic abilities, "the communication of spatial information that cannot be conveyed adequately by verbal or numerical means", including the whole field of graphic arts and much of geography, cartography, computer-graphics, and photography. The word "graphicacy" was chosen by analogy with literacy, numeracy and articulacy.[3]
Differences from other skills
[edit]Interpretation of graphics is loosely analogous to the process of reading text, while generation of graphics is the counterpart of writing text. However, text and graphics are based on very different symbol systems. For example, whereas text is structured according to formal organisational rules that apply irrespective of the content, this is not the case for graphics. With text structure, the units of information (words) are expected to be organised according to broad conventions (such as being sequenced in orderly rows starting from top left and progressing down the page). However graphics are not subject to a similarly stringent set of structural conventions. Instead, it is the content itself that determines the nature of the graphic entities and the way they are arranged. For example, the form and spatial arrangement of the items that comprise the actual subject matter being represented in the graphic are used as the basis for the graphic entities and structure that are displayed in the graphic. This is not the case with written text where the words and their arrangement bear no resemblance to the represented subject matter. Because of these and other fundamental differences between text and graphics, the processes involved in comprehension and production of graphics are distinguished from those involved in comprehension and production of text.
Issues
[edit]The concept of graphicacy acknowledges the characteristic features of graphic information that distinguish it from other forms of representation such as verbal and numerical information. Separating graphicacy from literacy and numeracy delineates the distinctive and complementary types of contributions that graphics, words, and numbers each make in human communication.
The interpretative components of graphicacy skills are relevant in the increasing range of situations where graphics carry the primary responsibility for communication. Early recognition of the importance of graphicacy came from disciplines such as geography, science and mathematics in which graphics play a key role. Educators in these and similar disciplines have become increasingly concerned with the capacities of students to comprehend information presented by way of graphics.
The interpretation of certain types of graphics can sometimes be very challenging. In addition, it is thought[who?] that graphicacy skills are largely learned rather than innate and that a viewer's capacity to interpret particular types of graphics is related to their background knowledge, in particular knowledge about the specific graphic system used to depict the subject matter, and knowledge about the subject matter that is depicted in the graphic. Severe deficiencies in either of these aspects of background knowledge may prevent a viewer from comprehending a graphic.
Example
[edit]There are some fundamental differences between written text and a graphic representation. For example, a brief explanation of the structure of a bowstring arch bridge may read:
Spanning the river is the bridge’s arch structure with its ends carried by abutments on each bank. The deck of the bridge is suspended by struts attached to the arch and runs between the banks. Each end of the deck is connected to the arch's legs.
The main items mentioned, extracted and arranged in their order of mention in the text, would read:
River; Bridge; Arch; Ends of arch; Abutments; Banks; Deck; Bridge; Struts; Arch; Banks; Ends of deck; Arch legs
The signs used to represent parts of the bridge in words are very different from the signs used in the picture of the bridge. Furthermore, the same items (such as bridge, arch, and banks) are often mentioned more than once in the text version, due to the constraints of text as a representational system. However, in a graphic of this bridge, such information would only need to appear once. The arrangement of these items is also different in the text from what it would be in a graphic. When compared with the order of mention in the text with this depiction, the text is not arranged in a way that would directly map onto the bridge, but presents the bridge's components in a linear sequence that gives no visual indication of the bridge's structure.
References
[edit]- ^ Aldrich, F., & Sheppard, L. (2000). Graphicacy; The fourth 'R'? Primary Science Review, 64, 8–11.
- ^ Balchin, W. G. V. and Coleman, A. 'Graphicacy should be the fourth ace in the pack' Times Educational Supplement (5th November 1965)
- ^ Balchin, W. G. V. 'Graphicacy', Geography, Geographical Association, 1972, 57, pp. 185–195
- Aldrich, F., & Sheppard, L. (2000). Graphicacy; The fourth 'R'? Primary Science Review, 64, 8–11.
- Anning, A. (2003). Pathways to the graphicacy club: The crossroad of home and pre-school. Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, vol. 3, no 1, 5–35.
- Balchin, W.G.(1976). Graphicacy. American Cartographer, 3 (1).
- Balchin, W.G.(1985). Graphicacy comes of age, Teaching Geography, 11 (1), 8–9.
- Boardman, D. (1990). Graphicacy revisited: mapping abilities and gender differences, Educational Review, 42(1), pp. 57–64.
- Cox, R,. Romero, P., du Boulay, B, & Lutz, R (2004). A Cognitive Processing Perspective on Student Programmers' Graphicacy. Diagrams 2004: 344–346.
- Hadjidemetriou, C., & Williams, J. (2002). Children's graphical conceptions. Research in Mathematics Education, 4, 69–87.
- Matthews, M. H. (1986). Gender, graphicacy and geography, Educational Review, 38 (3), 259–271.
- Milsom, D. (1987. Basic Graphicacy, Nelson Thornes.
- Postigo, Y., & Pozo, J. I. (2004). On the Road to Graphicacy: The learning of graphical representation systems. Educational Psychology, 24(5), 623–644.
- Roth, W.-M., Pozzer-Ardenghi, L., & Han, J. Y. (2005). Critical Graphicacy: Understanding Visual Representation Practices in School Science Series: Science & Technology Education Library, Vol. 26. New York: Springer. ISBN 1-4020-3375-3.
- Wainer, H. (1980). A test of graphicacy in children. Applied Psychological Measurement, 4, 331–340.
- Wilmot, P.D (1999). Graphicacy as a Form of Communication The South African Geographical Journal, 81(2)