Research On The Effect Of Experimental Illustrations’ Design In Junior Middle School Science Textbooks

Science curriculum in junior middle school is a comprehensive curriculum based on the understanding of the nature of science.Textbook is an important medium of curriculum development.To explore how to design science textbooks is of great practical significance to carry out science courses effectively.Science textbooks contain a variety of illustrations,which have different functions.Experimental illustration is one of the most important which can help students learn scientific knowledge.Based on Cognitive Load Theory,Working Memory Model,Cognitive Theory of Learning with Media multimedia,Cognitive-Affective Theory of Learning with Media and the Integrated Model of Text and Picture Comprehension,this study aims to explore the influence of experimental illustrations’ type and sequence on students’ learning results,motivation,cognitive load and referential connections between text and illustrationsThe experimental design was 2(type: concrete illustrations vs.abstract illustrations)× 3(sequence: before vs.with vs.after).The experiment participants came from six classes in a junior middle school in Sichuan Province and were randomly divided into six experimental conditions.It can be seen that the overall effect of experimental illustrations and texts presented on the same page in science textbooks is better than that presented separately,and the overall effect of abstract illustrations is better than that of concrete illustrations.However,considering the differences of students’ prior knowledge level or the sequence of illustrations and texts,concrete illustrations also have certain advantages.The suggestions are as follows: firstly,abstract and concrete illustration have their own advantages,and appropriate illustrations should be used according to their functions.Secondly,illustrations and text should be presented on the same page to avoid students’ distraction.Thirdly,students’ individual differences should be paid attention to,and the illustration design could use the principle of concrete fading.In addition,the research results also bring inspiration for textbook graphic design,which is that textbook illustrations should be designed based on subject knowledge,graphic relationships and individual differences.