Ski School

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Skiing School, Snowsports School, Snow School, Ski School for Children, Children’s Ski School, Ski School for Kids

Category

Education, Training, Sports, Winter Sports, Sporting Activities, Activities, Recreation, Tourism

Message / Function

For notice in general and to indicate the location of a ski or snowsports school and facilities for learning how to ski

	Source	Description
	skibig3	Two skilled skiers making dynamic short radius turn, one following the other
1)	ON Testdesign	Frontal view of adult skier next to three children on skis, all doing a braking plough
2)	ON Testdesign	Frontal view of adult skier next to three children on skis, all doing a braking plough
	Unknown	Frontal view of adult skier in front of child on skis, all doing a braking plough
3)	SVI	Adult skier next to two children on skis
7)	Unknown	Two ski tips pointing at side view of three children on skis
4)	ON Testdesign	Front view of adult human figure next to child on skis, arms spread holding poles
5)	Austropa 82	Adult human figure next to child, arms holding poles are spread
6)	Unknown	Child skiing, contour of slope in the background
	skibig3	Child turning in the plough
8)	TTS	Child with poles wearing bunny ears, on skis, inside frame
	Heli	Side view of skier turning in the plough
	ARS (Ota)	Side view of skier in static posture, wearing ski cap and bib number 1
	Aicher & Krampen	Front view of human figure doing a braking plough
	SWISSTRAFFIC	Front view of human figure doing a braking plough
	Perisher	Human figure with square academic cap, on snowboard
	Meiertoberens	Square academic cap, crossed ski poles below
	Whakapapa	Side view of bell
	Mount Buller	Side view of bell, clapper indicated by dot

Discussion

The range of pictograms shown in the table above gives a good hint of the diversity of variants and image contents used to signify Ski School. No single visual stereotype can be identified.

Data from tests is rather limited:

Brugger (1982) examined the eight pictogram variants labeled 1) to 8) for the referent Ski School for Children in an Appropriateness Ranking Test. Pictograms showing an adult human figure on skis with several children on skis were judged as most appropriate. Variants with an adult and just one child were placed in the middle, while pictograms showing only one or several children were judged as least appropriate. The numbers 1) to 8) represent the final rank order of the symbols tested.

The three designs marked with 1), 2), and 4) in the table above were then examined in a Comprehension Test (Brugger, 1983) conducted in Austria. While variant 2) elicited 69 % answers including the aspect Ski School, this facet was found in 63 % of the responses for variant 1) and 59 % for pictogram 4). Regarding the more specific message Ski School for Children 24 % of the answers for variant 4) were classified as correct. Corresponding scores for pictograms 1) and 2) were 10 % and 15 %. In this test no context information was provided.

Recommendations

We suggest to develop additional variants regarding existing test results as well as current skiing practice, and to conduct research using the Comprehensibility Estimation procedure for eliminating poor variants and identifying the best of the set available, followed by a Comprehension Test. These studies should deliver useful data for recommending one or several pictograms. Detailed information about the most frequent responses given in each of the response categories of the Comprehension Test should be provided to correctly judge comprehensibility and improve designs.

Tests of pictograms of referent Ski School

Brugger, Ch. (1982): Reihungstest für die Begriffe Bibliothek, Buffet, Kindergarten, Kinderskischule. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated 12/82, Vienna.

Brugger, Ch. (1983): Abschlußbericht über den Verständnistest. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated May 1983, Vienna.