Visual Structure in Sequential Instructions:

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Visual Structure in Sequential Instructions

• What relationship exists between spatial format
  and successful task completion?

Bonnie J. Schupp
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Purpose

• To determine which visual (vertical, horizontal,
  layered) structures are most effective in
  communicating sequential instructions for the
  purpose of completing a task
• To determine if visual structures affect various
  demographic groups in different ways

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Introduction (1) Context

• Our information age
• Managing information
• Efficiency in conveying and interpreting
  information
• Importance of visual literacy
• Navigating daily living
• Interpreting common icons, layouts, messages
• Understanding instructions

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Introduction (2) Definitions

• Visual literacy - the use of and interpretation
  of visual actions, objects and/or symbols in the
  environment
• Procedural sequences - series of steps leading to
  an end result
• Sequential instructions - series of steps leading
  to an end result
• Spatial format - the way the directions are
  arranged such as vertically or horizontally
• Layered format - the display of one step of the
  instruction set at a time

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Introduction (3) Focus and implications

• Visual literacy focus spatial relationships and
• cognition
• Information design implications
• Reduction of cognitive friction
• Improvement of communication design
• Increased safety
• Applications
• Instruction manuals
• On-line learning, Web design, software

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Previous studies

have mostly ignored the importance of spatial
structure in direction and layering of procedural
information.
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Previous studies (1)

• Effectiveness of pictures, text or combined
  pictures and text in sequential instructions
• Relationship of spatial configuration and
  memory/recall
• Relationship of 3-D representation in pictures
  and memory
• Sequential instructions from a narration
  perspective
• Use of arrows in procedural information

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Previous studies (2)

• Spinillo, Carla G. Are Visual Instructions
  Successful Messages? Some Considerations in the
  Analysis of Procedural Pictorial Sequences.
• Examines framework possibilities in representing
  PPSs (procedural pictorial sequences)
• Concludes that readers encode procedures faster
  when directions are conveyed by pictures rather
  than text only

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Previous studies (3)

• Liu, Linda L. and David H. Uttal. Spatial
  Cognition and Computation.
• Studies the effect of spatial configurations on
  childrens memory
• Concludes that younger children are more
  sensitive than older children to differences in
  pattern symmetry

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Previous studies (4)

• Tanney, Susan H. Spatial Language for the Design
  of Digital Information Places.
• Studies the role of spatial elements in
  presenting information
• Concludes that spaces must be designed with the
  basics of form, space and order in mind to be
  successful in representing information.

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Previous studies (5)

• Moldenhauer, Judith A. The Pacing of
  Information Patterns of Storytelling.
• Studies instructional manual design from the
  perspective of narration
• Concludes that pacing is important and can be
  studied further within the context of narration

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Previous studies (6)

• Westendorp, Piet and Frans van Mourik The Aspect
  of Style in Instructional Illustrations
• Studies differences in degree of realism,
  depiction of movement, scope and perspective,
  viewing angle and other elements such as color
• Concludes these elemtns affect content and
  understanding

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(Proposed Study)Methods Participants

• 100-125 participants, male and female,
  representing diversity in
• Age (8-80)
• Education
• Ethnicity

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Methods Preparation

• Nine instruction sets
• Five sequential steps in each set
• Previously piloted to ensure similar level of
  difficulty with each instruction set

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Methods Test task

• Use of precut shapes to be arranged on a
• sheet of paper according to directions
• Spatial organization
• Text only vertical, horizontal, layered
• Pictures only vertical, horizontal, layered
• Text/pictures vertical, horizontal, layered

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Methods Testing

• Specific room set aside for testing
• Two testers
• Introduction comfort level
• Observation
• Video camera

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Methods Participant survey

• Age
• Sex
• Education
• Ethnicity
• Directional style preferred
• Content style preferred

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Evaluation Quantitative

• Chart time by demographics
• Chart accuracy/success by demographics
• Combine time and accuracy for patterns
• Record information on order of tests

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Evaluation Qualitative

• Chart and analyze participant survey responses.
• Determine if participants perceptions are in
  line with their performances.
• Chunk and analyze field notes. Review video
  tapes. Look for pauses in pacing, error
  corrections and confused facial expressions.

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Evaluation Concerns

• English as a second language for some
  participants
• Age developmental issues
• Learning styles (Gardner)
• Level of comfort

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Evaluation Further testing

• Effect of color coding
• Illustration style
• Sequential style (bullets, numbers, arrows)
• Circular information design
• Top-down deconstruction
• Multiple media modes
• Incremental feedback

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• End of research proposal