An Analysis Of The Uses Of External Representations In Matter Units Of 7th-Grade Science Digital Textbooks Developed Under The 2015 Revised National Curriculum

This study analyzed the uses of external representations presented in the matter units of the 7th-grade science digital textbooks developed under the 2015 revised national curriculum. The level, form, presentation, and interactivity of external representations presented in 5 types of digital textbooks were analyzed. As for the level, the macroscopic level of representations was mainly presented. The macroscopic level and microscopic level of representations were presented together in the particle description. As for the form, visual-verbal and visual-nonverbal representations were usually presented across the board. Very few audial-verbal and audial-nonverbal representations were presented. Visual-verbal and audial-verbal representations were mostly presented in formal form, and visual-nonverbal representations were mostly presented in illustration without movement. The presentation of representations was analyzed in three aspects. First, visual-verbal and visual-nonverbal representations were mainly presented together and none of audial-verbal and visual-nonverbal representations were presented together. When the representations of the audial-verbal, visual-nonverbal, and visual-verbal were presented together, some of the information presented in audial-verbal representations was repeatedly presented in the visual-verbal representations. Second, audial-nonverbal representations not related to learning content were presented along with other representations. Third, there were few cases of arranging visual-verbal and visual-nonverbal representations on the next pages. Audialverbal and visual-nonverbal representations were always presented synchronized. As for the interactivity, the manipulation level was mainly presented in the main area, and the feedback level was mainly presented in the activity area. The adaptation level and the communication level of interactivity were presented very few. Based on the results, the implications for the direction of constructing digital textbooks were discussed.