Concept maps and technical infographics as supports for spatial intelligence in the acquisition of ESP terminology

Abstract

This study examines concept maps and technical infographics as visual supports for spatial intelligence in acquiring ESP terminology at Ukrainian technical universities under wartime disruptions. Across three engineering cohorts, visuals-first materials – built with a firm layout grid, disciplined captions, and restrained icon sets – improved immediate and delayed recall and task transfer, with strongest gains among lower-spatial-ability students. Medium cross-link density outperformed sparse or dense variants. Print-first, device-light designs proved robust during outages, enabling unbiased, reliable learning.