Classifying Geography Textbook Visuals According to the Concept of Direct, Indirect, and Symbolic Experience of Nature

Geography textbooks have many visuals, such as maps, graphs, tables, photographs, and illustrations, which makes geography a highly visual school subject. However, previous studies show that students can pay surprisingly little attention to textbook visuals. In this article, it is asked what sorts of visuals are there in if they do not attract students’ attention. order answer the research question, method approach developed. The motivated by Stephen Kellert’s concept direct, indirect, symbolic experience nature. Based on three types nature, categories for established respectively: snapshot (deriving from direct experience), landscape indirect abstract experience). sample covers eight Finnish grades 7–9 one upper secondary course. results most depict landscapes. addition, maps depicting geographical processes. Instead, only few snapshots people action hazards were identified. suggested enhancing role education could increase interest towards well. This because draw enable express their own feelings thoughts.