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Article published In:
Information Design Journal
Vol. 28:3 (2023) ► pp.275–302

The effectiveness of visual instructions in the memorization of Chinese Semantic Radicals by Beginners

| Zhengzhou University
ORCID logo | University of Leeds
ORCID logo | University of Leeds
The acquisition of Chinese Characters (CCs) is challenging for learners. Chinese Semantic Radicals (SRs) are semantic components of CCs. The memorization of SRs facilitates the acquisition of CCs when learning Chinese as a second language. This study investigates the effectiveness of Visual Instructions (VIs) in the memorization of SRs by beginners. A preliminary study and three other studies have been conducted. The results have shown that the use of color-coded illustrations helps learners remember the meanings, shapes, and positions of SRs. This could be seen in the significantly increased accuracy of the responses in memory tests. These findings are an important contribution to research on VIs and on the memorization of SRs by beginners.
Keywords: Information design, visual instructions, color coding, integrated illustrations, Chinese semantic radicals
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Preliminary study
    • 2.1Interview
      • 2.1.1Method
      • 2.1.2Findings
    • 2.2Visual content audit
      • 2.2.1Method
  • 3.Study A: Quasi-experimental study
    • 3.1Method
      • 3.1.1Participants
      • 3.1.2Materials
      • 3.1.3Procedure
    • 3.2Results
  • 4.Study B: Usability test
    • 4.1Method
      • 4.1.1Participants
      • 4.1.2Materials
      • 4.1.3Procedure
    • 4.2Results
  • 5.Study C: Experimental study
    • 5.1Methods
      • 5.1.1Participants
      • 5.1.2Materials
      • 5.1.3Procedure
    • 5.2Results
  • 6.Conclusions and discussion
    • 6.1Effective VIs for memorizing Chinese SRs
    • 6.2Applications in the field of Information and Instructional Design
    • 6.3Future research
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 27 November 2023
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/idj.21010.tia
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