Advances in graphical technology have now made it possible for us to interact with information in innovative ways , most notably by exploring multimedia environments and by manipulating three-dimensional virtual worlds . Many benefits have been claimed for this new kind of interactivity , a general assumption being that learning and cognitive processing are facilitated . We point out , however , that little is known about the cognitive value of any graphical representations , be they good oldfashioned (e . g . diagrams) or more advanced (e . g . animations , multimedia , virtual reality) . In our paper , we critique the disparate literature on graphical representations , focusing on four representative studies . Our analysis reveals a fragmented and poorly understood account of how graphical representations work , exposing a number of assumptions and fallacies . As an alternative we propose a new agenda for graphical representation research . This builds on the nascent theoretical approach within cognitive science that analyses the role played by external representations in relation to internal mental ones . We outline some of the central properties of this relationship that are necessary for the processing of graphical representations . Finally , we consider how this analysis can inform the selection and design of both traditional and advanced forms of graphical technology .