Application of frameworks in the analysis and (Re)design of interactive visual learning tools

Interactive visual learning tools (IVLTs) are software environments that encode and display information visually and allow learners to interact with the visual information. This article examines the application and utility of frameworks in the analysis and design of IVLTs at the micro level. Frameworks play an important role in any design. They bring structure to the analysis process and allow designers to conduct a systematic exploration of design possibilities. Without frameworks, designers tend to adopt ad hoc practices. In this article, two frameworks, one for interaction design and the other for interactivity design, are brought together to systematically analyze three online IVLTs used by thousands of teachers and students. As each tool is analyzed, a systematic exploration of the possibilities offered by the frameworks helps to guide the redesign of the tool. By applying the interaction and interactivity frameworks to the analysis and redesign of these three IVLTs, the article demonstrates why it is important to have, and apply, explicit frameworks when designing IVLTs.