viThe visuals and text in Visualizing Environmental Science, Fourth Edition are specially integrated to
present complex processes in clear steps and with compelling representations, organize related pieces
of information, and integrate related information sources. This approach, along with the use of interactive
multimedia, minimizes unproductive cognitive load and helps students engage with the content. When
students are engaged, they are storing information in long-term memory, and thinking critically about both
new information and their previous beliefs. This leads to better thinking, greater knowledge, and ultimately
to academic success.
Research shows that well-designed visuals, integrated with comprehensive text, can improve the efficiency
with which a learner processes information. In this regard, SEG Research, an independent research firm,
conducted a national, multisite study evaluating the effectiveness of Wiley Visualizing. Its findings indicate
that students using Wiley Visualizing products (both print and multimedia) were more engaged in the
course, exhibited greater retention throughout the course, and made significantly greater gains in content
area knowledge and skills, as compared to students in similar classes that did not use Wiley Visualizing.^2
The use of WileyPLUS can also increase learning. According to a white paper titled “Leveraging Blended
Learning for More Effective Course Management and Enhanced Student Outcomes” by Peggy Wyllie
of Evince Market Research & Communications,^3 studies show that effective use of online resources can
improve learning outcomes. Pairing supportive online resources with face-to-face instruction can help
students to learn and reflect on material, and deploying multimodal learning methods can help students
to engage with the material and retain their acquired knowledge. WileyPLUS provides students with an
environment that stimulates active learning and enables them to optimize the time they spend on their
coursework. Continual assessment/remediation is also key to helping students stay on track. The WileyPLUS
system facilitates instructors’ course planning, organization, and delivery and provides a range of flexible tools
for easy design and deployment of activities and tracking of student progress for each learning objective.
Wiley Visualizing is designed for engaging and effective learning
Figure 5.5: Energy flow through a food chain Textual elements have been physically integrated with the visual elements.
This eliminates split attention (dividing our attention between several sources of different information). The arrows visually
display processes, easing the way we recognize relationships.(^1) Energy enters ecosystemfrom the sun.
(^3) Energy exits as heat loss.
Energy flows linearly—in a one-way
direction—through ecosystems.Decomposers gain energy
from all other trophic levels.
2
Heat Heat Heat Heat Heat
First trophic level:
Producers
Second trophic level:
Primary consumers
Third trophic level:
Secondary consumers
Fourth trophic level:
Energy Tertiary consumers Decomposers
from
sun
Much of the energy acquired by a given level of a
food chain is used and escapes into the surrounding
environment as heat. This energy, as the second law
of thermodynamics stipulates, is unavailable to the
next level of the food chain.
(^2) SEG Research. 2009. “Improving Student-Learning with Graphically-Enhanced Textbooks: A study of the Effectiveness of the Wiley
Visualizing Series.” Available online at http://www.segmeasurement.com.
(^3) Peggy Wyllie. 2009. “Leveraging Blended Learning for More Effective Course Management and Enhanced Student Outcomes.”
Available online at http://catalog.wileyplus.com./about/instructors/whitepaper.html.