A DESCRIPTION OF VISUAL LITERACY AMONG THIRD YEAR BIOCHEMISTRY STUDENTS

TitleA DESCRIPTION OF VISUAL LITERACY AMONG THIRD YEAR BIOCHEMISTRY STUDENTS
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsMnguni, L
JournalJournal of Baltic Science Education
Volume17
Issue3
Start Page486-495
PaginationContinuous
Date PublishedJune/2018
Type of ArticleOriginal article
ISSN1648-3898
Other NumbersE-ISSN 2538-7138
Keywordsbiochemistry, biovisual literacy, senior aptitude, visual literacy, visuo-spatial abilities
Abstract

The use of visual models in teaching, learning and research has increased. Consequently, students have to develop various new competencies including visual literacy in order to learn efficiently. However, visual literacy among biochemistry students is not well documented. Using quantitative research methodology, the current research was aimed at determining visual literacy among biochemistry students. The participants were 74 purposefully selected third year undergraduate biochemistry students from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The data were collected using a Senior Aptitude test and BioVisual Literacy test. The results show that students performed well in the sub-sections of the Senior Aptitude test including patterns test and spatial perception 2D test. They had difficulties with non-verbal reasoning with figures and spatial visualization 3D tests, as well as with the BioVisual Literacy tests. The results suggest that students generally have poor visual literacy, which could affect their ability to comprehend content knowledge in biochemistry.

URLhttp://oaji.net/articles/2017/987-1529509197.pdf
DOI10.33225/jbse/18.17.486
Refereed DesignationRefereed
Full Text