Evidence is evidence: a case study of the effective integration of visuals and text in textbooks

This report explores how visuals can be used to facilitate learning and to enhance the educational value of textbooks. The report draws upon empirical research on the use of visuals in the fields of cognitive psychology and visual pedagogy, and applies this research to specific cases. In particular, the project considers the use of visuals in traditional textbooks and compares it with the one in the Wiley Visualizing series textbooks. The Wiley Visualizing program, a relatively new project by John Wiley & Sons, is based on the fundamental multimedia principle: information is more effective when presented in words and pictures than in words alone. Research, indeed, has shown that the brain processes information using both visual and auditory channels. Therefore, presenting information both visually and aurally facilitates the learning experience. In the Wiley Visualizing textbooks, visuals and text are purposely conceived and planned together to clarify major concepts, make the understanding easier, and facilitate retention.