Affordances of visual representations and sense-making of science

Abstract

Visual thinking is essential in the development of science. Visual representations are also indispensable when scientists disseminate their findings. This paper discusses the ways that research studies on visual representations can inform science learning and teaching. I start by discussing the ways that drawings, charts and graphics represent their referents, and hence highlighting the affordances of these visual representations. Then I discuss how these affordances make visual representations a valuable tool to support science teaching in formal and informal contexts and, in particular, how learning with media graphics can support the learning of Nature of Science for scientific literacy.