Cognitive Research

Change Over Time

Learning with geographical visualizations frequently includes the temporal dimension along with the spatial one. Changes that occur in time either in short time scales (e.g. weather) or long (e.g. plate tectonics), may be characterized as continuous, episodic and cyclical change. Both real-time and representational time contribute to understanding "How does time help us know?"(Montanegro, 1991). Of central concern is how visualization tools such as user-controlled animations can help students understand change over time and the underlying concepts of a dynamic Earth embodied in such change?

Findings: Visualization and animation tools can be very useful in helping students understand change over time (such as short-term weather changes or long-term geologic changes). Computer-based visualizations, such as those we call time-navigation tools, designed to change speed, acceleration and direction, select time frames and select specific time intervals, freeze time selections and create subsets, help students extend their understanding of depicted changes and the underlying science content.