2010 - 19th Annual NC State Undergraduate Research Spring Symposium

Session Time : 4/22/10 10:30 AM - 4/22/10 11:45 AM

Content Area : Honors Teaching Students

Student Presenters :
Leah Rutherfoord Schaubach Biological Sciences and Arts Applications

Mentors and/or Co-Authors :
Chad Jordan Plant Biology

Abstract Title : Digital Images Versus Illustrations, Which Best Enhances Student Learning?

Abstract :
Images are an integral element of communicating information to students. Therefore, they are an important component of textbooks and lecture materials. The objective of this study is to examine whether using digital images or illustrations better communicates the mechanisms of primary root growth, stem secondary growth, and root anatomy to students in an introductory plant biology course. An online Plant Anatomy Resource (PAR) was previously developed, which consisted of PowerPoint files that addressed the topics of tissue, root, and flower anatomy. These original PAR files contained all digital images. A series of illustrations were developed and added to PAR to augment the digital images for root anatomy and secondary growth. We used the PAR resources to compare the efficacy of digital images and illustrations as learning resources. Exam questions were derived directly from PAR to determine if the PAR images impacted student learning and comprehension of anatomy. The significant difference in exam scores supports the effectiveness of PAR and these images in that students who used the resource improved their score. A survey was also administered that asked students to indicate their image preference. Students overwhelmingly preferred a combination of digital and illustrative images to be incorporated into course material. Also, twice the number of students preferred the Illustration Guides compared to the Digital Guides. Our results show that students prefer a combination of both digital and illustrated representations in the classroom, textbooks, and study aids. Taken together, the data obtained in this study suggests that textbook editors and plant biology educators should consider using a combination of digital and illustrated images to communicate plant anatomy and developmental processes.