The Effects of Visual Versus Verbal Metaphors on Novice and Expert Learners' Performance

Since 1990 there have been a series of studies examining the effects of diagrams versus text on computer user's performance. There have also been studies investigating the effects of metaphors on learning and information searching. Research results indicate that verbal meatphors help learners to develop more complete mental models. However, little is know about the effects of visual metaphors that possess both the features of diagrams and metaphors. In response to the gaps in the metaphor research literature, the present study aims to compare the effects of visual versus verbal metaphors in facilitating novices and experts in the comprehension and construction of mental models.