Daibao Guo|Katherine Landau Wright|Erin M. McTigue
A Content Analysis of Visuals in Elementary School Textbooks
Boise State University|Boise State University|University of Stavanger
although visual complexity increasing graphics essential support readers comprehension disciplinary texts visual literacy receives scant attention research suggests effectively instructing students interpret disciplinespecific graphics would yield better comprehension however line inquiry enacted must determine characteristics graphics contemporary content textbooks therefore content analysis evaluated graphics within third fifthgrade science social studies textbooks coded 3844 graphics type function compared findings disciplines using chisquare post hoc comparison tests overall graphics coded 9 major types photographs frequent 54 subtypes indicating diversity graphics comparing disciplines science textbooks contained diagrams photographs graphics often functioned representationally social studies presented wider variety graphics interpretationally challenging graphics implications disciplinary literacy instruction discussed