Instructional Graphic Materials Module Page 1 of 13

A Module on the Topic: Characteristics of Instructional Graphic Materials

Presented to
The Faculty of Graduate Studies
Palompon Institute of Technology

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course

Instructional Materials Development in Science

By
Mark Anthony T. Pecho
MAEd-Science

December 2019
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Table of Contents

Title Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …………. . . .. . . …….. 1

Table of Contents . . . . . . . …………………………………………….........2

Introduction . . . . . . . . ……………………………………......................... 3

Objectives. . . …………………………………………………..…………...3

Pre-Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ………………...... . . ….... 3

Body. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …………………….…………..5

Activity 1: What are instructional graphic materials?...................................5

Definition of instructional graphic material……………………………… 6

Activity 2: Graphic Characteristics...............................................................7

Characteristics of instructional graphic materials. . . . ………………….....7

Activity 3: Give Purpose!……….... . . . . . . . . . . . . ….. . . . . . . . . . . . .... 10

Purpose of using instructional graphic materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . 11

Post-Test. . . . . . . . . . . . . …………………………………………………11

Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …………………………………………..13

References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …………………………………………...13
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Introduction
Instructional strategies that use graphics are chosen largely on the basis of the
different ways in which different graphic forms convey meaning. Charts, graphs,
and diagrams express ideas in a variety of ways like concrete concepts, such as the
animals in a food chain, can be represented by words and by pictures. The purpose
of most instructional graphics is to help explain something to the viewer in a
manner that hopefully increases retention of the subject matter. Instructional
graphics have seven characteristics.

Objectives
Towards the end of this module, you will be able to understand the concept and
characteristics of instructional graphic materials .At the end of Module; you will be
able to answer the following key questions.

What are instructional graphic materials?

What are the characteristics of instructional graphic materials?
What are the purposes of using instructional graphic material?

Suggested time allotment: 1 to 2 hours

Pre-Test

I. Multiple Choice
Direction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. These are materials used for instruction characterized by their vivid nature, can
be clearly described and are able to effectively present message in which it is
designed for.
a. Graphic Materials b. Instructional Materials
c. Educational Materials d. None of the above
2. The following are examples of instructional graphic materials, except:
a. Diagram b. Poster
Instructional Graphic Materials Module Page 4 of 13

c. Graph d. Powerpoint
3. This characteristic shows what an object looks like.
a. Descriptive b. Expressive
c. Constructional d. Functional
4. This characteristic illustrates textual data visually. Bar charts, pie charts, and
histograms fall into this category
a. Expressive b. Data Display
c. Descriptive d. Algorithmic
5. This characteristic makes an impact on the learner.
a. Data Display b. Algorithmic
c. Expressive d. Descriptive
6. This characteristic shows a holistic picture of the range of possibilities. Flow
charts fall into this category.
a. Logico-mathematical b. Algorithmic
c. Descriptive d. Expressive
7. This characteristic show how the parts fit together into the whole
a. Data Display b. Algorithmic
c. Constructional d. Descriptive

8. This characteristic shows a process or the organization of a system in a

simplified manner.
a. Functional b. Data Display
c. Descriptive d. Algorithmic
9. Graphics are heavily used in textbooks, especially those concerning subjects
such as geography, science, and mathematics, in order to illustrate theories
and concepts, such as the human anatomy.
a. True b. False
10. The following are not examples of instructional graphic materials, except:
b. Powerpoint b. Manila Paper
c. Simulations d. Line graphs
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Body

Graphic materials are materials used for instruction characterized by their

vivid nature, can be clearly described and are able to effectively present message in
which it is designed for.

According to Achuonye (2004), graphic materials are arts by which we

express ideas in lines, pictures, sketches, and diagrams; it includes materials which
inculcate facts and ideas clearly and succinctly through a combination of drawing,
words and pictures.

Activity 1
What are instructional graphic materials?
After performing this activity, you should be able to:

1. Define instructional graphic material.

2. What are the samples of instructional graphic materials?
3. How does instructional graphic materials used in education?

Procedure:
1. List instructional graphic materials you usually use in the classroom.
2. Discuss to the group the similarities of the graphic materials you’ve listed.
3. Based on your observations try to define what instructional graphic materials
are.

List of Instructional Similarities Definition

Graphic Materials
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Definition of Graphics

Graphics (from Greek γραφικός graphikos, "belonging to drawing")

are visual images or designs on some surface, such as a wall, canvas, screen, paper,
or stone to inform, illustrate, or entertain. In contemporary usage, it includes a
pictorial representation of data, as in c manufacture, in typesetting and the graphic
arts, and in educational and recreational software. Images that are generated by a
computer are called computer graphics.
Examplesare photographs, drawings, lineart, graphs, diagrams, typography, 
numbers, symbols, geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings, or
other images. Graphics often combine text, illustration, and color. Graphic
design may consist of the deliberate selection, creation,
or arrangement of typography alone, as in a brochure, flyer, poster, web site, or
book without any other element. Clarity or effective communication may be the
objective, association with other cultural elements may be sought, or merely, the
creation of a distinctive style.
Graphics can be functional or artistic. The latter can be a recorded version,
such as a photograph, or interpretation by a scientist to highlight essential features,
or an artist, in which case the distinction with imaginary graphics may become
blurred. It can also be used for architecture.

Instructional Graphic Materials in Education

Graphics are heavily used in textbooks, especially those concerning subjects

such as geography, science, and mathematics, in order to illustrate theories and
concepts, such as the human anatomy. Diagrams are also used to label photographs
and pictures.
Educational animation is an important emerging field of graphics. Animated
graphics have obvious advantages over static graphics when explaining subject
matter that changes over time.
The Oxford Illustrated Dictionary uses graphics and technical illustrations to
make reading material more interesting and easier to understand. In
an encyclopedia, graphics are used to illustrate concepts and show examples of the
particular topic being discussed.
In order for a graphic to function effectively as an educational aid, the
learner must be able to interpret it successfully. This interpretative capacity is one
aspect of graphicacy.
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Activity 2
Graphic Characteristics!
After performing this activity, you should be able to identify the characteristics of
specific instructional graphic materials namely graphs and diagrams.

Procedure:

1. List the possible characteristics of a graph and a diagram.

2. Using a venn diagram, compare and contrast the characteristics graph and
diagram.

Graph Diagram

Characteristics of Instructional Graphic Materials

1. Descriptive - To show what an object looks like.

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2. Expressive - To make an impact on the learner.

3. Constructional - To show how the parts fit together into the whole.

4. Functional - To show a process or the organization of a system in a

simplified manner.
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5. Logico-mathematical - To display a mathematical concept such as a curve

graph. Some line graphs and charts with a scaled X and Y axis fall into this
category.

6. Algorithmic - To show a holistic picture of the range of possibilities. Flow

charts fall into this category.
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7. Data display - Illustrating textual data visually. Bar charts, pie charts, and
histograms fall into this category.

Activity 3
You Give Me Purpose!
After performing this activity, you should be able to realize the purpose of instructional
graphic materials.

Procedure:
1. List possible purposes of the existence of instructional graphic materials.
2. Discuss your answer to the group and consolidate your answers.
3. Assign a member of the group to present your answers in front of the class.
Instructional Graphic Materials Module Page 11 of 13

Purposes of Instructional Graphic materials

 The choice of what type of graphic to use for a specific purpose is often clear, but
there are some instances where research particularly indicates what will be most
effective.
 Use simple line drawings if the instruction is pace of the instruction is not under
user control. This makes the accompanying text more meaningful and reduces the
burden of details in the text.
 Use analogical graphics if the user has no prior knowledge of the presented
concept.
 Use arbitrary graphics to illustrate conceptual relationships that cannot be
conveyed through representational or analogical means.
 Keep screens sparse in terms of content density.
 Limit the amount of graphics on the screen, and also limit what each graphic
depicts, removing non-essential (and potentially distracting) elements.
 Be consistent with the placement of graphics on the screen. Providing an explicit
organization increases the memorability of new material.

Post-Test

I. Multiple Choice
Direction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. These are materials used for instruction characterized by their vivid nature, can be
clearly described and are able to effectively present message in which it is
designed for.
b. Graphic Materials b. Instructional Materials
c. Educational Materials d. None of the above
2. The following are examples of instructional graphic materials, except:
Instructional Graphic Materials Module Page 12 of 13

d. Diagram b. Poster
c. Graph d. Powerpoint
3. This characteristic shows what an object looks like.
b. Descriptive b. Expressive
c. Constructional d. Functional
4. This characteristic illustrates textual data visually. Bar charts, pie charts, and
histograms fall into this category
b. Expressive b. Data Display
c. Descriptive d. Algorithmic
5. This characteristic makes an impact on the learner.
b. Data Display b. Algorithmic
c. Expressive d. Descriptive
6. This characteristic shows a holistic picture of the range of possibilities. Flow
charts fall into this category.
b. Logico-mathematical b. Algorithmic
c. Descriptive d. Expressive
7. This characteristic show how the parts fit together into the whole
b. Data Display b. Algorithmic
c. Constructional d. Descriptive

8. This characteristic shows a process or the organization of a system in a simplified

manner.
b. Functional b. Data Display
c. Descriptive d. Algorithmic
9. Graphics are heavily used in textbooks, especially those concerning subjects such
as geography, science, and mathematics, in order to illustrate theories and concepts, such
as the human anatomy.
b. True b. False
10. The following are not examples of instructional graphic materials, except:
e. Powerpoint b. Manila Paper
f. Simulations d. Line graphs
Instructional Graphic Materials Module Page 13 of 13

Answer Key for Both Pre-Test and Post-Test

I. Multiple Choice
1. A 6. B
2. D 7. C
3. A 8. A
4. B 9. A
5. C 10. D

References
Baker, G., & Bixler, B. (1990). Computer-assisted design techniques for low-literate
adults. Computers in Adult Education and Training, 2(1), 18-27.

Bower, G.H. (1970). Organizational factors in memory. Cognitive Psychology, 1, 18-46.

Duchastel, P. C. (1979, November). Pictorial illustration in instructional

texts. Educational Technology.

Duchastel, P. C. (1978, November). Illustrating instructional texts. Educational

Technology.

Dwyer, F. M. (1978). Strategies for Improving Visual Learning. State College, PA:

Learning Services.

Rieber, L. (1994). Computer, graphics, and learning. Iowa: Brown and Benchmark.