From Tree to Map: Using Cognitive Learning Theory to Suggest Alternative Ways to Visualize Macroevolution

Abstract

Diagrams can be important tools for communicating about evolution. One of the most common visual metaphors that unites a variety of diagrams that describe macroevolution is a tree. Tree-based diagrams are designed to provide a phylogenetic framework for thinking about evolutionary pattern. As is the case with any other metaphor, however, misunderstandings about evolution may either arise from or be perpetuated by how we depict the tree of life. Researchers have tried various approaches to create treebased diagrams that communicate evolution more accurately. This paper addresses the conceptual limitations of the tree as a visual metaphor for evolution and explores the ways we can use digital tools to extend our visual metaphors for evolution communication. The theory of distributed cognition provides a framework to aid in the analysis of the conceptual affordances and constraints of tree-based diagrams, and develop new ways to visualize evolution. By combining a new map-based visual metaphor for macroevolution with the interactive properties of digital technology, a new method of visualizing evolution called the dynamic evolutionary map is proposed. This paper concludes by comparing the metaphoric affordances and constraints of tree diagrams and the dynamic evolutionary map, and discussing the potential applications of the latter as an educational tool.

Travelling through time : Students’ interpretation of evolutionary time in dynamic visualizations

“…Much research has been devoted to how users understand and misunderstand phylogenetic trees in general (Baum, Smith, & Donovan, 2005;Catley & Novick, 2008;MacDonald & Wiley, 2012), and a framework or representational competence regarding tree thinking has been developed by Halverson and Friedrichsen (2013). Stephens (2012) addresses the conceptual limitations of the visual metaphor of evolution as a tree, and discusses new ways of visualizing evolution by means of new digital technologies. Nevertheless, only a minor part of the research on phylogenetic trees has been devoted to perception and comprehension of temporal aspects.…”

Ontology design and individual cognitive peculiarities: A pilot study

“…It seems that knowledge maps reduce cognitive load. The use of knowledge maps also appears to amplify the benefits associated with scripted cooperation (Stephens, 2012). Learning from maps and communication via maps are enhanced by active processing strategies such as summarization or annotation and by designing maps according to gestalt principles of organization (Gavrilova, 2011;Wertheimer, 1938).…”

Communicating evolution with a Dynamic Evolutionary Map

“…A pilot evaluation was then undertaken to assess whether these affordances were being communicated. A previous publication [29] reported on the theoretical framework for this project. This paper summarizes the key affordances, reports the results of the pilot study, and discusses implications for future development.…”