Visual literacy

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect that coding (black and white, and color) and testing mode (visual/verbal) has on the achievement of students categorized as field independent (FID)/field dependent (FD) learners. One hundred eighty-three students enrolled in basic college level educational psychology courses were classified as either field dependent, field neutral, or field independent as a result of their performance on Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT). Participants read a 2,000 word instructional booklet on the anatomy and functions of the human heart, containing 19 illustrations, either in black and white or with different colors used to highlight information and processes being discussed. Each student immediately received, in a visual or verbal format, four individual multiple-choice criterion tests (drawing, identification, terminology, and comprehension). On the drawing tes