Book Description
Visual note-taking relies on paring down thoughts to key words and pictures. This introduction to this technique illustrates how relationships among various concepts are highlighted and more information can be recorded on a page. This helpful tool can be used for personal self-expression, curriculum planning, group processes, and as a teaching strategy in daily lessons. Beginners are introduced to stroke-by-stroke exercises in drawing simple iconic figures that can be incorporated into one's mindscapes.
Customer Reviews:
Who has the time?.......2007-09-22
I bought this book based on the 10 positive reviews it received. Unfortunately, my money would have been best spent on a Tony Buzan book. MAPPING INNER SPACE has serious downfalls. Mainly, all the mindmaps in the book are rich in color with excellent drawn pictures...how could I even attempt to duplicate this? Though the author states several times that drawing perfectly isn't required, her own examples demonstrate that her drawing skills are very superior. Also, the use of different colors made her mind maps frameable...how would have time during a meeting to draw such elaborate pictures? I would highly recommend that you buy one of Tony Buzan's earlier books on this subject...you won't feel so intimidated when you read them.
Opened my eyes.......2007-05-24
Being an artistic and visual person, I always had trouble effectively outlining ideas. This solved the problem. For me it works.
Very best to learn and use the MindMap.......2007-05-08
Very good book, and very good service from amazon
Mapping is new!.......2006-04-16
I wanted to learn mapping to help me with my career choices as I worked with a resume writer and career coach (http://www.callfranklyspeaking.com). This book really helped me understand the concept and apply not just to a job change, but to my new job and mapping out the possibilities for my department. Easy to learn!
Great Resource.......2006-03-16
Very visual book, excellant ideas. Hope to use it to help my kids in school.
Amazon.com
Fully revised and beefed up with plenty of new material on today's Standard C++, the new edition of Bruce Eckel's Thinking in C++: Volume I is an excellent tutorial to mastering this rich (and sometimes daunting) programming language, filled with expert advice and written in a patient, knowledgeable style.
The effective presentation, along with dozens of helpful code examples, make this book a standout. The text first sets the stage for using C++ with a tour of what object-oriented programming is all about, as well as the software design life cycle. The author then delves into every aspect of C++, from basic keywords and programming principles to more advanced topics, like function and operator overloading, virtual inheritance, exception handling, namespaces, and templates. C++ is a complex language, and the author covers a lot of ground using today's Standard C++, but without getting bogged down in excessive detail.
The emphasis here is on practical programming, so there's basic advice on using header files, preprocessor directives, and namespaces to organize code effectively. Each chapter ends with exercises (usually about two dozen), and the entire text of the book is available on the accompanying CD-ROM. (So is the second volume, which tours Standard C++ classes and other advanced topics.)
Whether you have read the first edition of this book or not, there is much to mine from Thinking in C++. This new version continues to set a high standard as an approachable and thorough tutorial. --Richard Dragan
Topics covered: Introduction to objects, inheritance, composition, polymorphism, exception handling, analysis and design fundamentals, advantages of C++, transitioning from C, compiling and building programs, writing C++ functions, flow control, C++ operators, data types, casting, debugging tips, pointers to functions, designing reusable C++ classes, conditional compilation and header files, access specifiers, constructors and destructors, function overloading and default arguments, using const and static effectively, inlining, namespaces, references, copy constructors, operator overloading, using new and delete for dynamic objects, virtual functions, abstract classes, introduction to templates, and iterators.
Customer Reviews:
Thinking in C++, Volume 1: Introduction to Standard C++ (2nd Edition) .......2007-09-23
Bruce Eckel's book very thoroughly covers the Standard C++ programming language. It may be a little dated (my copy says (C) 2000), but I don't think the Standard has evolved since his writing.
The Good: Bruce does a terrific job going into gory detail on all aspects of this (let's just face it) complicated language. C++ has lot's of traps and ditches to offer compared to C# or Java, and if you plan to use a lot of the advanced concepts of the language, a helper like this book is almost indispensable. If you are coming from the C realm, this books is a real hit: Bruce constantly points out the subtle differences between C and C++, and also explains how C++ is a safer language than C in almost every facet. The book does a fairly decent job in going from the simpler to the more advanced concepts, though a few times he has to use constructs that will only be covered in later chapters (Bruce does point out these outlooks though appropriately). If you are really into learning a new language, the Exercises at the end of each chapter are a terrific way to learn the new concepts.
The Bad: The text within the chapters is not very well structured. If you later on try to find something, the prose form of the sections does not really help you doing that. Also, the Index is not that great either. Often times you are sent to pages that just marginally address the keyword, and the essential introduction or explanation of the keyword may not be in the index at all. My real gripe though is with the practicality of the examples. While I previously stated that the Examples by itself are a great way to learn the languate, a lot of his examples are just plain bad ideas how to code. I understand where Bruce is coming from, he tries to find examples for all the subtleties he just covered in the section. Nevertheless, he often asks for pretty bad things to be implemented. On principle, from my own personal experience a lot of the special cases of the language are hardly ever used in real life situations.
I do recommend this book, especially if you are coming from C. Just take the examples with a grain of salt. If you are a seasoned software developer, you can probably tell anyways which of the examples or techniques should not be used on the job.
A must have ..........2007-06-11
this is a must have for all people that need to learn c++
even if you are novice or experience developer this is a book that you will always open and consult.
An all-around great C++ book.......2007-03-04
This book was a pleasure to read. It does a very good job of teaching you the C++ syntax in the context of the C++ paradigm; a great improvement over many similar introductory books that seem to focus upon teaching you syntax only. By the time you get through with this book, you will have a good idea why things in C++ work in the way that they do, and such knowledge helps you considerably when you actually start writing useful code.
Overall, this is one of my favorite programming books, and it's highly recommended.
Start learning C++ here.......2007-02-20
If you're looking to learn C++ as your first language, or your first OO language, good luck to you! I tried learning C++ after FORTRAN77, and in retrospect, that was a big mistake. Go and learn another object oriented language first, Python or Java or Ruby (maybe even OO Perl). You probably also want to learn a tiny bit of C, just to get used to pointers and memory management.
Done all that? Good. I will be assuming in this review that you already know how to program reasonably and you're not trying to cram C, C++ and OO into your head at once. So, you just want to learn C++. If that's the case, this is the perfect book to start with.
The book assumes that you're coming to C++ from C, and builds up from C++ as C with a stricter compiler, then onto C++ as 'object-based' language - objects as structs with functions and encapsulating initialization and memory allocation with constructors and destructors. Finally, object orientation (i.e. inheritance and polymorphism) is introduced. Rounding things off is a brief chapter on templates and iterators, but it's only a sneak preview, really.
Only the core of C++ is covered: the standard libraries and other topics (like exceptions) are deferred until volume 2. This leaves volume one as a lean and mean exposition of the core of the language. This is quite an achievement, especially as it manages to be both comprehensive and readable. The somewhat begrudgingly object oriented flavour of C++ is also on display in this book, particularly when compared to Thinking In Java from the same author: there are interesting explanations of what the compiler is getting up to behind the scenes, which should presumably assuage the fears of the more paranoid C programmer. There are copious code examples, although the expected output is not given, which would have been helpful. The introduction to the make utility will also be very welcome to many (including me).
This is not quite as good as Thinking in Java, perhaps because of its C-centric opening section, which may require you to familiarise yourself with the differences between C99 and C++ simultaneously (this is particularly apparent in the discussion of the static and const keywords).
But it's still a great introduction to C++, and it doesn't waste time with the basics of variables, loops and conditionals. Between this, the second volume, and Koenig and Moo's Accelerated C++, you have all you need to graduate onto the intermediate C++ books, like the Exceptional C++ and Effective C++ series.
very pleasant reading.......2007-02-12
This is a book that covers c++ almost from scratch. I've had no other programming experience than some php and a tiny bit of C before I read this book. It is a real nice introduction both to the language c++, but most important, it is an introduction to the mindset of object oriented programming, it has some real good chapters in the beginning detailing different processes to begin and plan a project in an object oriented fashion.
Average customer rating:
- demystify the cloud
- Superb analytical writing
- Visual and Statistical Thinking....very visual
- How not to lie with graphics
- waste of money
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Visual & Statistical Thinking: Displays of Evidence for Decision Making
Edward R. Tufte
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ASIN: 0961392134 |
Customer Reviews:
demystify the cloud.......2007-02-17
if you have to present or report complex information to others, this and tufte's other tomes are a very useful and are good reference library books.
Superb analytical writing.......2007-01-04
Tufte is a master of laying out the problem, revealing misguided analysis used in the two studies that he dissects and then shows how to better interpret the data. I found myself slowing down my usual reading speed to half and doubling my concentration to follow him, which is a compliment to the depth of his writing. Tufte is concise and a well-regarded authority on the methods to describe, define, reveal and present problems so that solutions are found honestly. I recommend reading all his work.
Visual and Statistical Thinking....very visual.......2006-08-02
A very good book on a fairly obscure but very important subject. Being able to effectively communicate numerical/statistical information in a graphical way is far more art and aethetics, than science. Anyone who uses charts and graphs to convey important information should get this book. In other works by Tufte, he shows how proper use of explaining critical numerical information could have stopped the Space Shuttle from launching on a cold morning which eventually led to it exploding shortly after tackoff in 1987 - due to an o-ring failing to seal properly. A fascinating read that reveals how important graphs are to making sense of numerical data.
How not to lie with graphics.......2006-06-12
This book is not as incisive as Tufte's classic "The Visual Display of Qantitiative Information". It does, however, discuss in cogent detail how to design a graphical display so that it will clarify ideas and not mislead the viewer. We are subject daily to a blizzard of deliberate dis-information by such means. Tufte's plea for clarity and honesty seems almost quaint by today's standards. Thank you, sir.
waste of money.......2006-03-25
Buy the book instead of this pamphlet. This small guide is a waste of money
Product Description
Creating Enterprise Excellence Through The Technologies of the Visual Workplace
Customer Reviews:
Great ideas for every company.......2007-06-17
I read books to get new ideas, not to copy a specific recipe. If this book does not get your creative juices running, nothing will. I will be using these ideas over and over.
Great job, Gwendolyn!
Jean Cunningham
Galsworth Method FiveS+1.......2007-04-02
This is an excellent book. It is well written, easy to understand and is full of useful examples. As an Organizational Development person, the most astounding element of Galsworth's FiveS+1 method, is that incorporated into the bases of her model is the bases for creating lasting and sustainable change. Sustainable change is a crucial element required for any successful Lean implementation. If applied correctly FiveS+1 definitely has the capability to create the critical mass required for lasting organizational change.
Visual Workplace, Visual Thinking.......2007-03-16
I am the Plant Manager of a parts fabrication plant and was absolutely stunned by the simplicity and brilliance of Ms Galsworth's definition of waste as "motion" - the seeking or sharing of information that takes a worker away from his/her value adding station. Many of the writings that I have read in my 15 years of lean experience have provided insight into implementation, but Ms Galsworth's definition of motion is a breakthrough in thinking as it re-defines or amplifies one of the basic concepts of the Toyota Production System. I see this waste in my plant every day, now I can see it differently and can do something about it.
Taking business organization to the next level........2007-02-25
This book is an expression of the excellence alluded to in the title. It has beauty and practicality in a perfect marriage.
Spinning one's wheels trying to get a job done without needed answers and without appropriate equipment: this is an experience that is all too common. It wastes time and energy but, just as importantly, it causes unnecessary frustration and demoralization of personnel. Dr. Galsworth explains how to organize a workplace so that each person has the tools and information needed to accomplish the required tasks.
The secret of the Visual Workplace is that, not only does it lead to increased productivity and quality, but it also creates an environment where personnel feel respected and empowered, where indeed their ideas and insights are utilized and valued. Employee turnover declines and coming to work becomes enjoyable. Enlightened self-interest on the part of management means a harmonious, well-thought-out arrangement of objects and people. This is good feng shui on every level.
With its glossy pages and high-quality paper, the book feels good in the hand. There are fascinating photos of job implementations at well-known and international companies. Various management paradigms are illustrated with clear diagrams. It is fun just to flip through the pages.
Although I am a Dean in an acupuncture school, I found Visual Workplace of great interest. Its organizational concepts, such as ways to reduce "information deficit", were as applicable in our small school as they are in huge factories.
Here's the best place to start a Lean journey.......2006-12-20
Finally, a book that details a system for applying visual techniques, including color photos and something for every department. A great in-depth treatment of the subject that goes far beyond a cursory Lean discussion. This is a practical, hands-on implementation guide that transforms the shop floor while putting responsibility in the hands - and minds - of the "value add" employees.
Customer Reviews:
Not Quite for Beginners.......2001-11-26
This book is intended for someone who has a bit of a background in design. Landa does explain some of the things you will want to think about in a design, say for a book jacket or advertisement, but unless you are already familiar with the terms, this may not help.
There are exercises for you to practice what you have learned, but there are no answers. These are intended for the reader to explore what they have learned rather than "parrot" back what the author wants.
In the end of the book are some words about design from some big-name designers in either interview or short-letter form. This will mean more to you if you are familiar with the names.
The examples are good pictures with some information (who did the work and whom it was for), and they have a brief paragraph explaining what the creator were thinking about the project. In some cases, it is very enlightening, but in others, it just seemed like reminiscing.
I recommend this book for people with designer training, but not for the beginner.
Eye Candy, Brain Vacuum.......2001-03-05
OK, you can certainly see lots of examples of cool designs, but if you are looking for actual HELP with learning to design, this is NOT the book for you. I kept waiting for the book to be useful. Finally, towards the end is a section of exercises that can help "unlock" your visual creativity. That was useful, but in the end, it didn't redeem the book.
If you are looking for a neat beginner's guide to design principles, see "The Non-Designer's Design Book," another gem by Robin Williams.
helped me.......2000-09-30
Landa is the absolute authority on creative visual thinking. This book helped me tremendously! Buy it.
A book FILLED with great examples of design..........2000-01-28
Actually, the book ITSELF is well designed/layed out too, which could lead you to establish somewhat of a biased faith in its content before you even read it thoroughly (the content IS good, by the way). I've lost count how many times I've referred to it for inspiration and come out on top. It's certainly been a good investment for me.
An outstanding book stuffed page to page with juicy ideas........1999-01-08
Tired of searching for inspiration to unlock the block that's been stifling your creative flow? Well, this book is dynamite! Lots of direction both in writing and pictures for expanding creative muscle. Clear and friendly writing style, excellent organization of material, easy to follow and cruise through. And, not so expensive given the good quality paper, hc, and all those photos! I thought the interviews with designers was a humanistic touch. Nice to know the faces behind great design.
Book Description
Attentive observation of art provides an excellent opportunity for better thinking, for the cultivation of the "art of intelligence." The arts are important in an educational setting, therefore, because they can cultivate important thinking strategies in children and adults alike. With
carefully chosen illustrations, Perkins demonstrates how the reflective approach to art can develop broader, more adventurous, and clearer avenues of thought.
Customer Reviews:
excellent content in a brief package.......2006-10-09
Recently I bought at least 5 books regarding the modern art analysis. May be this one is the book that most cleverly resolved the question on how to approach the complex modern art. It presents a strategy to open up your mind and get the most of every piece of art that you confront in a museum or a gallery. It does not dwell upon art history but emphasize on what to look and how to look. Unfortunately, at the end of its barely 90 pages, you ended asking for more.
Intelligent Eye.......2006-03-14
This book is interesting for artists. It opens up your mind for different ways of thinking.
Learn to use Reflective Thinking while looking at art!.......2000-06-27
The Intelligent Eye is a great way to teach students (or anyone) how to think by looking at artwork! This book has an easy to read, conversational style to it as it shares some very basic truths about thinking.
Book Description
Proofs without words are generally pictures or diagrams that help the reader see why a particular mathematical statement may be true, and how one could begin to go about proving it. While in some proofs without words an equation or two may appear to help guide that process, the emphasis is clearly on providing visual clues to stimulate mathematical thought. The proofs in this collection are arranged by topic into five chapters: Geometry and algebra; Trigonometry, calculus and analytic geometry; Inequalities; Integer sums; and Sequences and series. Teachers will find that many of the proofs in this collection are well suited for classroom discussion and for helping students to think visually in mathematics.
Customer Reviews:
A picture is worth..........2007-09-09
How many of you remember doing geometry proofs in High School? How many of you enjoyed writing them? I don't know about you but I've always preferred pictures to words when it comes to understanding how something works.
This is a wonderful book that provides visual insights into how one might go about proving mathematical theorems. The Pythagorean Theorem has always been a mystery to me. How are the squares of the sides of a right triangle related to its hypotenuse? "Proof Without Words" has five clever illustrations that guide readers in writing their own proofs.
If you ever doubted that algebra and geometry were related, the diagrams demonstrating how to compute sums of series will produce aha! experiences.
Writing proofs when one is guided by visual cues is a much more fulfilling endeavor than stringing together dry facts from memory. This book delivers much fulfillment in exploring theorems in geometry, algebra, trigonometry, sequences, and other aspects of Math.
Excellent book explaining mathematics through pictures.......2007-06-16
Proof without words really opened my insights into how some of the proofs of formula came about. Sometimes we just take for granted the formula and do not discover how they came about. Through graphics and pictures we are able to visualize better.
Visual justification has a role in mathematics.......2000-11-20
The first mathematical proofs were no doubt primarily diagrammatic in structure, and we all should appreciate the role they have played in the development of mathematics. Unfortunately, the figure is now somewhat maligned as a tool in mathematics. A symbol used in a proof is a representative of an abstract concept, and if a diagram is also considered in that way, then it should be just as acceptable. The proofs in this book are not truly without words, as most of the time there is a formula as well. However, they are easy to understand and cannot fail to be appreciated.
Proof by diagram does have a place in the mathematical educational experience as well. After all, the point of a proof is to convince us of the validity and also explain why the result must hold. Students who struggle their way through abstract formulas and symbols can be exposed to proofs like this and learn there is a place for visual thinking in mathematics.
Mathematics teachers face a difficult task and should use every tool that is available to present the wonder and greatness of mathematics as a form of human endeavor. Proofs without words will not work everywhere, but when they do, it can be the difference that makes the light bulb of understanding burn bright. This book should be read by all teachers of mathematics.
Engaging exercises to train your intuition.......2000-09-12
Famous mathematicians have often emphasized the role of visual intuition; e.g., Hilbert: "Who does not always use along with the double inequality a > b > c the picture of three points following one another on a straight line as the geometrical picture of the idea "between"? Who does not make use of drawings of segments and rectangles enclosed in one another, when it is required to prove with perfect rigor a difficult theorem on the continuity of functions or the existence of points of condensation?" (from his famous address at the 1900 International Congress). This book is a collection of well over 100 one-page proofs, collected from various sources. The topics range from number theory to calculus, and most of them require no advanced mathematics. Typically there is a statement of a result, with a labelled diagram showing how it is "proved"; in some cases there are a few auxiliary equations along with the picture. These are not simple, often requiring quite a bit of thought before the "Aha!" moment. Working through them is a valuable exercise for the student of mathematics--having seen, e.g., six different visual proofs of the Pythagorean theorem, one comes to really *understand* the result, not just "follow the logic". I have not encountered any better way than this book to "see" how mathematical truth is discovered and proved. It can be valuable as a supplement to courses through precalculus and elementary calculus. Perhaps one of its best uses is to inspire teachers to present results in a more lively way then "definition-theorem-proof" or "just memorize it".
Average customer rating:
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Thinking and Seeing: Visual Metacognition in Adults and Children (Bradford Books)
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Neuropsychology
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ASIN: 0262122626 |
Book Description
Experimental research has shown that people miss apparently obvious visual discontinuities -- a phenomenon known as "change blindness." For example, in one experiment, subjects watching a brief film of a conversation between two actors did not notice that in some shots one actor appeared wearing a large, colorful scarf and in other shots she wore no scarf; in another experiment, subjects did not even notice when one actor was replaced by another between shots. Moreover, when told what they had missed, many subjects were incredulous, and occasionally even insisted that the film they had seen had not included anything unusual ("change blindness blindness"). This kind of conflict between actual and presumed cognitive functioning has been analyzed in other areas of metacognition; the contributors to Thinking and Seeing explore the implications for vision, which have remained largely unexamined. Doing so, they make important connections among diverse areas in cognitive science and provide a starting point for new research on how people think about seeing.
Demonstrating the interdisciplinary nature of the work in this field, the contributors draw on developing theories of the mind to explore the foundations of metacognitive understanding in children and metacognition errors by adults; on traditional metacognition research to analyze potential connections between research on problem solving and vision; on research in folk psychology and concepts to examine "the illusion of explanatory depth" and how systematic our understanding of seeing is; and on an understanding of the relationship between consciousness and cognitive control of ongoing tasks.
Product Description
Free yourself from the limiting belief that you cant draw and move into the dynamic world of visible thinking for you and your students. The authors have compiled a symbolary of easy- to-draw iconographs that can be used to enrich communica- tion, provoke deeper thought, and make the process of creating Mind Maps and Mindscapes for note taking and review in your classroom a breeze. Visual Thinking breaks down the process of drawing into small steps so that anyone who thinks they cannot draw will find that in fact, they can. Visible thinking templates help students work through challenging problem-solving activities. As their thinking processes are recorded, students become more thorough and skillful in reaching conclusions and making decisions.
Customer Reviews:
A Book for Teachers and Students!.......2005-10-12
Visual Thinking is a book made for teachers who want to help their students use images and words to record ideas in a creative and memorable way. That is why I, as a middle school teacher, find it so appealing. The "symbolary" gives you hundreds of easy to draw images and there are many templates, too, that encourage visual thinking -- that is using visual metaphors to think through challenges, make plans and more. I think you will find many uses for this book! I certainly did.
Excellent resource.......2005-10-06
In this excellent new handbook on mind-mapping as an instructional tool, the authors include how to create mindscapes, easy ways to learn drawing skills, how to create and use symbols, and how to create mindscape templates for developing higher order thinking skills, problem-solving, studying, and goal-setting. Even those who believe they have never been able to draw, will find it easy to develop this skill. Included in this useful book is a "symbolary" of easy-to-draw iconographs that can be used to enrich communication and facilitate the understanding and learning of almost any subject. What a fine tool to have on hand for both teachers and students.
Educators: Take a look!.......2005-09-24
"I was brought up believing that "I cant draw" and I was hesitant to get this book, but I am so glad that I did! Reading and practicing with "Visual Thinking," I began to feel more confident in my ability to teach others using "pictures" that are worth more than a thousand words! There are so many students these days who have difficulties with language and comprehension when only the written word is used, but who are able to comprehend and express themselves very clearly and in detail when using symbols. So many wonderful templates are provided in the book that students and teachers can use to teach, learn,record information and review. Mapping with symbols as suggested in this book allows us to see connections that we might otherwise overlook. It is a fun text, easy to use and well done in every way! Thanks to the authors!"
B
Quite disappointed by this new book & with the two authors!.......2005-09-14
I am quite disappointed by this new book & with the two authors, whose past work I am most familiar with. Having read (& reviewed with gusto!) the principal author's two earlier pieces of work i.e. Mapping InnerSpace, I find this book to be somewhat of a letdown.
It is natural that I would compare this book with `Mapping InnerSpace.' Much of the material in the new book has apparently been rehashed from the earlier work. The only new stuff I can find is the `symbolary' of easy-to-draw iconographs, which is now been re-organized from A to Z, & a handful of new `Mindscaping' application templates in the last chapter. That's it.
Surprisingly, the authors even continue to make use of the same Foreword, which goes back to the late 80's & which appeared in the first book.
I get this funny feeling that the new book has been based on perfunctory desk research & no attempt has been exerted to conduct some real field research to cover new developments or advancements. Worst of all, & sad to say, the material is still restricted to the authors' own limited field of work.
Based on my own exploration, the field of visual thinking has obviously made tremendous progress in the last few years, in both the educational & business arenas. A quick search & browse across the net will give readers a good appreciation of what has happened/is happening out there.
I actually expect the authors to provide a quick round-up (or snapshot) of developments & happenings with regard to new & exciting visual thinking applications across the educational as well as business realms. There have been abundant application variations as well as radical enhancements in the field of visual thinking for business professionals. I am well aware that field research is no easy task in the light of many proprietary methods, but with a little ingenuity & persistent legwork, it would have been rewarding for both authors to go the extra mile. The new book, taking into consideration the prevailing developments outside their own sphere, would have been great for all the readers, especially the professionals.
For examples, the creative work of heavy weights in the field of visual thinking as applied to business & industry, like Jim Channon (large system imagineering with Advanced Visual Language), David Sibbet (graphical visualisation of organisational change with template-based methodology) & Matt Taylor (creative augmentation, with artful integration of visual space technologies, collaborative environments, & knowledge-intensive work processes), to name a few, have not been captured &/or exemplified. Not even in the Resources page. I am also very intrigued as to why the innovative work of Christine Allen Ewy (Teaching with Visual Frameworks) & Elizabeth H Wig (Map It Out: Visual Tools for Thinking, Organizing & Communicating) is not even captured in the Resources. There are many others.
In today's technology-savvy world, there is no mention of using technology to augment one's visual thinking approach. The Mind-manager software quickly comes to mind. Xplanations is another innovative one. There are many others, too.
In these respects, the book does not stand up to its title, Visual Thinking: Tools for Mapping Your Ideas.
For the beginner, particularly a teacher or a parent or a student, who is currently looking for plain visual thinking approaches, this book still stands as great work. I would attribute this to the wonderful symbolary.
To sum up my review, I reluctantly rate this book a 3 in the light of my foregoing comments, although it deserves a 5 in terms of useful & practical learning for the beginner in the field of visual thinking.
Book Description
For thirty-five years Visual Thinking has been the gold standard for art educators, psychologists, and general readers alike. In this seminal work, Arnheim, author of The Dynamics of Architectural Form, Film as Art, Toward a Psychology of Art, and Art and Visual Perception, asserts that all thinking (not just thinking related to art) is basically perceptual in nature, and that the ancient dichotomy between seeing and thinking, between perceiving and reasoning, is false and misleading. An indis-pensable tool for students and for those interested in the arts.
Customer Reviews:
More Poetry Than Truth.......2007-05-16
The author's writing style is as if he simply sat down and typed this out after having built up years of experience. Why it fails is because he seems to be writing strictly from memory without checking his notes along the way. The writing isn't so much inaccurate as it just meanders from topic to topic. It has a nice flow, but keeps leaving me feeling like, even when his points are good, one doesn't follow from what preceded it. Also, many of the points he makes don't seem to matter.
A lot of the book is hopelessly dated. The terminology is dated and he doesn't reflect knowledge and awareness of contemporary science or politics or much of anything else. It might work well for people studying period pieces, but as for gaining a good understanding of "visual thinking," by contemporary standards, forget it!
Book you want to have at home.......2005-03-19
The above phrase is the conclusion I came to after reading this book at the library. I am not in art education, but there are many things I wanted to underline and think about in application to the theory of creativity, use of technology in education, visual literacy. I think different people would find different things to think about in this book. Arnheim wrote a masterpiece that catalyzed a paradigm shift in his area (just like Freud or Simon & Newell).
The book is written pretty clear, I would not say it is difficult to read (English is my third language).
Not easy to read.......2002-04-10
The book is fairly complex, and definitely needs reflexion for every sentence. The author explains some psychological and philosophical theories. This is personally not what I expected. I would have liked more examples and applications.
Indispensable........1998-08-23
Arnheim always sheds some new light on his subjects, and this book might be his most enlightening. Whether you care about art, education, perception, or simply living a full human life, this book will make you think about the subject in a new way. Grounded in careful analysis of specific objects and experiences, Arnheim nonetheless manages to convey the importance of his ideas to the wider subject of human consciousness.
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