Anglin, G. J.; Towers, R. L.; Levie, W. H. (1996). Visual Message Design and Learning: The Role of Static and Dynamic Illustrations. In Kozma, R. B. (Ed.), Handbook of Research for Educational Communications and Technology, Section IV: Hard Technologies: Media-Related Research. pp. 755-794. IN: Association for Educational Communications and Technology.

One of the purposes of this article is to present the primary theories of picture perception. Pictures are illustrations that have some relation with a text or message and can help in the understanding of instructional materials.

There is evidence that shows that memory for pictures is better that memory for words. This effect is called picture superiority. There are three memory models used to explain this effect: dual code model, single code model and sensory-semantic model. Each one proposes a different way on how the information is processed and stored.

Pictures can be classified as static or dynamic. Literature demonstrates that static pictures can facilitate the acquisition of knowledge when presented with text materials. The author concluded that static pictures with text redundant information facilitate learning and that the type of text and pictures determine the degree of learning. More research is needed to make conclusions on the effect of for dynamic pictures.

Personally, pictures are very important on the way I learn. I like to see pictures on books and magazines because help me understand the ideas and because motivate me to finish reading a text. Pictures can represent real or concrete things and can show how things relate to a whole. One example on the use of pictures is the technology or engineering books. Most of today's books have incorporated a lot of colored static pictures to get the attention of the readers and facilitate learning. Also, some of them come with CD-ROMs that include dynamic pictures, which are especially important when trying to explain physical processes like cell division or electron flow on a semiconductor. Although there is a need of more research to demonstrate the effect on knowledge acquisition from dynamic pictures, I think that they definitely facilitate understanding and learning based on my experience.

Commercial sewing patterns are an example where static pictures are used to facilitate learning and understanding. The directions to sew a piece of cloth are presented on text and pictures. Usually, the text wraps around pictures showing a relation between both. When I use them, first I follow the picture directions. When something is not clear, I read the text. This shows how important are pictures, in my particular case, to learn and understand.

Static and dynamic pictures are everywhere trying to get attention from viewers for different purposes.