Effect of a labratory manual design incorporating visual information-processing aids on student learning and attitudes

Abstract

The elements of visual information-processing theory were applied to the design of a chemistry laboratory manual. The effectiveness of this approach on content learning, practical skill mastery, and attitudes of university students in a general chemistry course was assessed. Two versions of a laboratory manual were developed: an experimental version that promotes visual information processing by integrating pictures or diagrams with text, and a control version identical to the experimental version in both activities and structure, but without pictures or diagrams. Three assessment instruments were used: an achievement test to assess cognitive outcomes, an attitude survey to assess affective outcomes, and a manipulative skills observation checklist to assess psychomotor outcomes. Results showed that the manual incorporating visual information-processing characteristics helped students gain significantly higher scores on measures of achievement and psychomotor skills, and also stimulated students to develop more favorable attitudes toward the laboratory activities. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 34: 891–904, 1997.