Diagrams in the Mind and in the World: Relations between Internal and External Visualizations

Recent advances in computer technology and graphics have made it possible to produce powerful visualizations of scientific phenomena and more abstract information. There is currently much excitement about the potential of these computer visualizations, particularly in education and training in science,information. There is currently much excitement about the potential of these computer visualizations, particularly in education and training in science, technology and medicine. This paper examines three possible relations that might exist between internal and external visualization. First, external visualizations might substitute for internal visualizations. Second their comprehension and use may depend on internal visualizations. Third, they might augment and be augmented by internal visualizations. By reviewing these possibilities, it is argued that the design of external visualizations should be informed by research on internal visualization skills, and that the development of technologies for external visualizations calls for more research on the nature of internal visualization abilities.