Multimedia displays for conceptual discovery: information seeking with strand maps

This article explores the use of a multimedia search interface for digital libraries based on strand maps developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. As semantic-spatial displays, strand maps provide a visual organization of relevant conceptual information that may promote the use of science content during digital library use. A study was conducted to compare users' cognitive processes during information seeking tasks when using a multimedia strand maps interface, versus the textual search interface currently implemented in the Digital Library for Earth System Education. Quantitative and qualitative data from think-aloud protocols revealed that students were more likely to engage with science content (e.g., analyzing the relevance of science concepts with regard to task needs) during search when using the strand maps interface compared to those using textual searching. In contrast, students using a textual search interface engaged more frequently with surface-level information (e.g., the type of a resource regardless of its science content) during search and retrieval. As a multimedia search interface for digital libraries, strand maps appear to be promising tools to promote conceptual discovery and learning through content-based processes that promote learner engagement with relevant science knowledge.

[1]  Michael J. Wright,et al.  Linking learning goals and educational resources through interactive concept map visualizations , 2005, International Journal on Digital Libraries.

[2]  Susan R. Goldman,et al.  Learning in complex domains: When and why do multiple representations help? , 2003 .

[3]  K. A. Ericsson,et al.  Protocol analysis: Verbal reports as data, Rev. ed. , 1993 .

[4]  Edgar W. Jenkins,et al.  Benchmarks for Science Literacy: a review symposium∗ , 1995 .

[5]  R. Mayer,et al.  Multimedia Learning: The Promise of Multimedia Learning , 2001 .

[6]  F. Ahmad,et al.  Dynamically generating conceptual browsing interfaces for digital libraries , 2004, Proceedings of the 2004 Joint ACM/IEEE Conference on Digital Libraries, 2004..

[7]  Tamara Sumner,et al.  The concept space interchange protocol , 2004, JCDL '04.

[8]  Michelene T. H. Chi,et al.  Eliciting Self-Explanations Improves Understanding , 1994, Cogn. Sci..

[9]  Robin Mason,et al.  Information handling skills and resource‐based learning in an Open University course , 1998 .

[10]  Carl Lagoze,et al.  The Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting Protocol , 2002 .

[11]  A. Ahlgren,et al.  Science for all Americans , 1990 .

[12]  Tamara Sumner,et al.  Merging Metadata and Content-Based Retrieval , 2006, J. Digit. Inf..

[13]  Alfred Bork,et al.  Multimedia in Learning , 2001 .

[14]  Herbert Van de Sompel,et al.  A Spectrum of Interoperability: The Site for Science Prototype for the NSDL , 2002, D Lib Mag..

[15]  Carol Collier Kuhlthau,et al.  Information search process of lawyers: a call for 'just for me' information services , 2001, J. Documentation.

[16]  N. Hari Narayanan,et al.  Multimedia design for communication of dynamic information , 2002, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud..

[17]  F. Rutherford.  Science for all Americans / F. James Rutherford , 1990 .

[18]  Walter Kintsch,et al.  Comprehension: A Paradigm for Cognition , 1998 .

[19]  Tamara Sumner,et al.  The digital library for earth system education: building community, building the library , 2001, CACM.

[20]  Carol Collier Kuhlthau,et al.  Longitudinal Case Studies of the Information Search Process of Users in Libraries. , 1988 .

[21]  Michael J. Wright,et al.  A Web Service Interface for Creating Concept Browsing Interfaces , 2004, D Lib Mag..

[22]  K. A. Ericsson,et al.  Protocol Analysis: Verbal Reports as Data , 1984 .

[23]  Susan T. Dumais,et al.  The vocabulary problem in human-system communication , 1987, CACM.

[24]  Chris North,et al.  Snap-together visualization: can users construct and operate coordinated visualizations? , 2000, Int. J. Hum. Comput. Stud..

[25]  A. Collins.  National Science Education Standards: A Political Document. , 1998 .

[26]  Donald F. Dansereau,et al.  Effects of scripted cooperation and knowledge maps on the processing of technical material , 1989 .

[27]  Angela M. O'Donnell,et al.  Knowledge Maps as Scaffolds for Cognitive Processing , 2002 .

[28]  Donald F. Dansereau,et al.  Enhancing the recall of text: Knowledge mapping training promotes implicit transfer. , 1998 .

[29]  Russell N. Carney,et al.  Pictorial Illustrations Still Improve Students' Learning from Text , 2002 .

[30]  Pertti Vakkari,et al.  A theory of the task-based information retrieval process: a summary and generalisation of a longitudinal study , 2001, J. Documentation.

[31]  Douglas Tudhope,et al.  KOS at your Service: Programmatic Access to Knowledge Organisation Systems , 2004, J. Digit. Inf..

[32]  Richard E. Mayer,et al.  Multimedia Learning: The Promise of Multimedia Learning , 2001 .

[33]  J. Shea.  National Science Education Standards , 1995 .

[34]  Gary Marchionini,et al.  Information Seeking in Electronic Environments , 1995 .

[35]  Magnus Enger.  The concept of 'overlay' in relation to the Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH) , 2005 .

[36]  John W. Moore.  Science Education Standards , 1998 .

[37]  Tamara Sumner,et al.  Digital libraries and educational practice: a case for new models , 2004, JCDL.