Visual Representations of the Water Cycle in Science Textbooks

Abstract

Visual representations, including photographs, sketches and schematic diagrams, are a valuable yet often neglected aspect of textbooks. Visual means of communication are particularly helpful in introducing abstract concepts in science. For effective communication, visuals and text need to be appropriately integrated within the textbook. This study is based on an analysis of the science textbooks of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the Maharashtra State Board (MSB) for Classes 3–10. We first assess these textbooks for the use of visual representations generally. Then we focus on the water cycle, looking at how this topic is treated in the school science curriculum, at the types of visual representations used, and how effectively text and visuals are integrated to teach the water cycle over the course of the school years. We conclude with some observations on the visual treatment of the water cycle in two exemplar textbooks, and examine the implications for the use of visualisation to understand the concept of the water cycle.