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Although multiple agricultural literacy campaigns exist, studies have found many people struggle to grasp agriculture topics. In order to process and learn information, individuals use a limited pool of cognitive resources. When topics or media messages are complex, those resources can be overwhelmed, thus hindering the learning process. Visual aids can prevent this from occurring. The purpose of this research was to test the use of infographics to communicate the topic of genetically modified foods. One-hundred-thirty undergraduate students were exposed to one of two randomly assigned stimuli. Both stimuli contained the same information about genetically modified foods, but one was presented in the form of an infographic, while the other was a text-only narrative. After viewing, participants were tested in a variety of ways on their ability to recall information. Sixty-nine of these participants took part in a delayed survey a week after stimuli exposure to again test recall and retention of the information they viewed. No significant difference was found in retention and recall rates when using an infographic versus a narrative to communicate a complex topic. However, this study provides several implications for future research in the area of visual communications in agricultural literacy.

Numerous institutions encourage and implement service-learning and experiential learning to expose their students to professional, real experiences in their field. However, few extend this application to large, introductory courses. This study examined students' perceived knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) gained in a large, introductory communication course when engaging in an experiential learning project. Students participating developed a social media campaign that addressed a professional client's social media needs. This work used a survey with a scale and openended questions to detail the wide range of KSAs gained and extends understanding for experiential learning outcomes for students and faculty. Results support the extension of service-learning and experiential learning in introductory communication courses and their ability to prepare students for future communication careers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increase in consumer concern surrounding food ingredients has triggered a rise in label claims as an attempt to communicate salient product attributes to influence a purchase decision. Previous research has established the use of food label claims as heuristic cues, facilitating quick decisions without the need for complicated cognitive processing. Design of a label claim becomes an important concern as research has indicated distinct design elements promote further processing. This study sought to understand the role of visual and textual elements of a label claim toward dual processing routes through the use of eye tracking measures. The results indicated label claims that included both visual and textual elements elicited the highest visual attention allocation from consumers, and suggested that label claims are processed systematically in addition to heuristically as previously specified. Future label claims should include both visual and textual elements to promote further cognitive processing among all consumers. The findings from this study provide an avenue for greater understanding of dual processing modes within the context of food label claims and other agriculturally-relevant concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of agricultural sustainability, specifically sustainable beef production, is not well established, and much misinformation frames this conversation. One way agricultural communicators can educate the public on this controversial topic is through infographics. Scholars have suggested recall, or the mental process of retrieving information from the past, as a technique to understand what someone has comprehended when exposed to new information. The Limited Capacity Model of Motivated Mediated Message Processing (LC4MP) provides insight into human information processing and recall, and it guided this study's development. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect various types of data visualizations used in infographics about agricultural topics have on college students' knowledge and ability to recall attributes from the data visualizations. An experimental study was conducted where participants viewed one of three infographics with embedded data visualizations and answered questions to understand their recall of information, design elements, and information recognition. The results show pictographs were significantly more effective in participant information recognition and the free and cued recall of design; however, it was not significant for free and cued recall of information. These findings add to the agricultural communication literature as they show how the type of data visualization can impact how viewers encode, store, and retrieve information. The researchers suggest agricultural communicators implement pictographs more frequently in infographic communications strategy. Additionally, agricultural communicators must begin to train students on the use of data visualization techniques in classroom settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marketers continually seek ways to capture the attention of an audience largely motivated to avoid advertising messages. The recent rise in the use of the selfie as a legitimate photographic genre and casual form of communication has afforded marketers a new avenue to catch the eye of potential consumers. By using an experimental research method that utilizes eye tracking, this study examined the unique composition of the selfie and identified that this form of photography enhances viewers' sense of interpersonal connection with the subjects of these images, and produces tangible outcomes that have practical implications for consumer behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]