After a semester of Visual Literacy, I have gained an increased knowledge on how visual literacy can help me create, understand, classify, and appreciate visuals. Below are some general websites that expand on what visual literacy is, why it's important, and how it affects everyone. Visual Literacy How to Speack Out (Visually) at your Library Visual Literacy Standards
Visual Literacy is more than just "reading" visuals; it's about acquiring the right knowledge necessary to creatively produce, read, and critic visuals. Technology has made it easier to bombard humankind with a wide variety and plethora of visuals daily. TV commercials, billboards, digital/moving billboards, public transportation, shopping centers, and many more forms of advertising are all over the place, effecting individuals of all ages in their way of thinking and establishing the correct techniques needed for a sense of visual literacy. Visual literacy is important in the classroom, workplace, home, and public locations because visuals influence people without them even realizing at times. Visuals also can enhance or hinder learning in schools and workplaces depending on the visual and how visual literate the viewer(s) and creator are.
The information I have learned and the knowledge I have gained through this class has helped me to create, understand, classify, and appreciate visuals. I have become more aware of the visuals around me, and what ads (and other visuals) are trying to convey (what is the message this is trying to express?) Overall, the experiences I have had in this class (watching movies, Save the World Project, Hope project, chapter presentations and activities, and TEDtalks videos) have helped shaped me into a more visually literate human being. I am more conscious of my actions and what I am conveying in my body language as well as any visuals I create.
As discussed in my first entry, there are many visual symbols that affect me in my everyday life, and there are symbols that represent who I am. Being visual literate can help others realize who I am just by "reading" my visual symbol representations. Below are some visuals that I feel represent me.
I decided to do a blog post o incorporating technology specifically into math curriculum in a classroom because I am minoring in both math and educational technology and I have learned so new ways technology can be used to enhance the learning experience for students.
There are many math specific software programs out there, three of which were discussed in depth in my Math Technology class. Geometer's Sketchpad, Tinkperplots, and Probability Explorer are the three math specific software programs I would like to focus on.
from http://www.tsm-resources.com/tsm-previous/nice06/index.html
Geometer's Sketchpad is a software that allows students to do a variety of actions that are mainly geometry and algebra based. As found on the software website, Sketchpad gives students a tangible, visual way to learn mathematics that increases their engagement, understanding, and achievement. And it’s not just for geometry. Use it for elementary and middle school math, algebra, pre-calculus, and calculus. The website and software provide many resources for teachers to use, including connection to standards, lesson plans, activities, other websites, support, webinars, and professional development. Sketchpad can be used to help broaden students knowledge and understanding of many math topics and concepts. The program is very visual and hands-on which helps students retain what is being taught/ learned.
Tinkerplots is a software that allows students to graph and organize data in a variety of ways. As found on the software website, TinkerPlots enhances elementary and middle school students' ability to understand and analyze data. The software allows students to investigate data and deepen their understanding of data analysis. Students gain graphing skills, and can explore/organize their graphs according to common measures. With Tinkerplots, students can design and run probability simulations, download data, create dot plots, pie charts, map graphs, histograms, and scatter plots by ordering, stacking, and separating data icons. The software has many great benefits that can be incorporated into any upper elementary through middle school class. TinkerPlots also includes a variety a resources for teachers, parents, and students to utilize.
The final software, Probability Explorer allows students to test the characteristics and properties of probability with computer simulated experiments.
Probability Explorer is a research-based software application that enables users to explore a variety of random phenomena. It is an open-ended learning environment in which users can design and analyze random experiments. The experiments include: Coin toss, Six-sided dice, Marbles in a bag and, Customized experiment involving various pictures and symbols (including marbles, shapes, stick figures etc.). Probability Explorer is very visual and hands-on which helps students with retain the information being taught/ learned.
There are also many interactive websites that provide teachers, parents, and students with games and activities that help students understand various problems and math topics. Below is a list of some excellent websites I found that have amazing games, activities, lesson plans, and resources for teachers, students, and parents. Illuminations is a website allows the exploration of 106 online activities that help to make math come alive in the classroom or at home. The website also has a collection of 606 lesson for pre-K to 12th grade math educators to use. The website has a link to NCTM's Principles and Standards for School Mathematics which helps align the games, activities, and lessons with math standards. The website also provides other web links that have outstanding math games and lessons as well. EducationPlace is a website based on the McGraw Hill textbooks. The website isn't specific to math, it also includes the other subjects in the classroom. The website includes lessons, games, activities, and worksheets for teachers to use in their classroom. National Library of Virtual Manipulatives is a website that has activities and games for various math topics for grades pre-K through 12th grade. This is a great resource for in-service as well as pre-service teachers to use as a way to enrich math lessons. CalculationNation is a website that has games for students to play with other classmates (or against the computer). The website has a login option so that teachers can monitor each student by name, or you can use the guest pass to access the games as well.
Here is a TEDtalks video that illustrates the effect that technology can have on student learning. Kahn Academy has over 2000 videos for students to utilize when learning about various math (and even a few other subjects) concepts and topics.
I hope you have learned something new, and are inspired to go go out on your own to look for ways to incorporate technology into your minor field (or field specialty).
Today, I went to Lincoln Elementary School in Cedar Falls, IA for a technology class. When I was there, I learned all about the Mimio (which is similar to the Promethean Board, expect it's portable). I also got the opportunity to watch 6th graders use a Google sketch program that is similar to programs that architects use. Finally, I got to go into a 1st grade classroom and experience the 1st graders showing how they use the Mimio technology throughout the school day. The Mimio technology has a website that explains what the Mimio is, provides/ allows teachers to share lesson plans and activities, and offers other resources as well.
from newalbanyschools.us
Using a Mimio, or Promethean Board, or any kind of smart board for that matter, creates a very engaging and interactive environment for students to learn in. It also is very visual centered, but you can also add audio and have students perform hands-on activities as well. I realized that using some kind of smart board in my classroom is definitely something that I want to do because of all the positives that go along with it. The 1st grade teacher at Lincoln said that she has noticed that students enjoy learning more and are more actively engaged in the learning process as well. The students themselves also love using this technology and said that learning is actually fun now! :) This is something that I would definitely want my students to think. The variety of visuals used with this technology can benefit all students because of it's ability to adjust to many delivery and learning styles. The Mimio (and other smart boards) are also applicable to students of all ages, Pre-K through College. This is another HUGE benefit to using one in your classroom.
from easygraphics.com
As a future teacher, I would love to have the opportunity to teach with some sort of interactive whiteboard. I feel that interactive whiteboards help support learning and build student skills. Many teachers have the ability to share lesson plans with others from across the States, which is an amazing thing to me! I can't wait to take advantage of the technology in our world today and apply that to my future classroom. :)
So, I have been having a lot of time to think lately (because I'm just so good at managing my time and actually get my homework done!)... I am a very liberal girl, however some topics (music lyrics, advertisements on TV, the radio, in magazines, on the Internet, what to include in a school/classroom curriculum) that have been discussed in my classes lately have really got me thinking. I recently saw a presentation in class about morals and ethics used when viewing visuals; I am adding values to this post as well because I feel that it all goes together nicely. First, I want to start by defining the three (3) terms I mentioned already. Moral: of, pertaining to, or concerned with the principles or rules of right conduct or the distinction between right and wrong. Ethics: asystemofmoralprinciples; therulesofconductrecognizedinrespecttoaparticularclassofhumanactionsoraparticulargroup,culture,etc.; thatbranchofphilosophydealingwithvaluesrelatingtohumanconduct,withrespectto the rightnessandwrongnessofcertainactionsandtothegoodnessandbadnessofthemotivesandendsofsuchactions. Values: theideals,customs,institutions,etc.,ofasocietytowardwhichthe peopleofthegrouphaveanaffectiveregard.Thesevaluesmaybepositive,ascleanliness, freedom, oreducation,ornegative,ascruelty,crime,orblasphemy: anyobjectorqualitydesirableasameansorasanendin itself.
So, what does all of this have to do with visuals? Well, what do you consider to be appropriate to show your friends, peers, family members, colleagues, professors/teachers? Do you have the same guidelines for all groups?
I sure don't! :)
Who would you show the following images to?
1. From southernmamas.com
2. From southernmamas.com
3. From http://www.lovelyish.com/
5. From uzzahformen.com
4. From precious-womens-perfumes.com
6. From http://fun-gallery.com
7. From brooklyn-newyork.olx.com
8. From usatoday.com
9. From http://fun-gallery.com
As I'm sure you decided, some of the ads I posted above would be appropriate for any group, while others' may only be appropriate for a select few groups. The question you must ask yourself when viewing the above ads (and any ad for that matter) is how are you judging this ad? Are you using your personal set of values, morals and beliefs? Are you using our society's set of morals ethics and values? Are you using a religious standpoint? The way that people in our society view ads is very interesting. If I were to show anyone a group of provocative, controversial, prejudice, etc. ads, I'm sure they would be appalled. However. these are the ads that are out there in our magazines, TV's, computers, on the billboards, etc. I understand that I can't personally change the opinion and viewpoints of the big companies who are putting out these terrible ads, but it is up to us to stand by the good values, morals, and ethics being taught to our children.
Below are some websites that I would like you to check out as well as some videos I found to be very interesting. I hope you enjoy and take away a passion to change the ads, TV shows, movies, songs, and games that we expose our children and teens today. Dove Campaign for Real Beauty Advertising and Morality Advertising Educational Foundation Ethics in Advertising Media Awareness Network
Visuals are pretty much everywhere is today's technological advanced society. I see visuals walking to class, during class, while eating (at restaurants, the dining centers/ Union, my house, etc), at the mall, while watching TV, and many more places! The ability to interpret these visuals one comes across daily to the key to success in today's society. I am become interested in the use of visuals in today's classroom. As a future teacher, I would like to be aware of the trends out there to better prepare my future students. The internet contains MANY websites that give tips, ideas, lesson plans, activities, and other resources for teachers to use as well. The Visual Literacy Toolbox contains links to online activities, activity plans, a bank of questions for exploring the component of visual literacy, and learning objectives. Visual Literacy in the Elementary Classroom contains links to articles, interactives, graphics and fonts, templates, tutorials, pay and free printables, ideas and resources, and examples and samples. Jasononline.org has a list of different activities for teachers to use in their classrooms. Visucate: Visual Literacy in the Classroom is a website that is dedicated to informing teachers, students, parents, and volunteers about visual literacy. The website contains links for each group. The teacher's link has materials that can help integrate visual literacy into everyday activities in the classroom.
merci-moments.com
There are many more websites and videos out there for teachers, students, and parents to use to help children with their visual literacy and 21st century skills. I hope the one's that I have found to be interesting and useful can help others as well in their search to integrating visual literacy into the 21st century classrooms.
I have been thinking a lot of visuals lately. With everything going on in the world today, I have had a lot of questions about what visuals means to different individuals and cultures. Below are some images that might spark different reactions from individuals from particular cultures.
3. From history.howstuffworks.com
4. From bahaisofalbany.
1. What do you think of when you see the recycle sign?
2. How about immigration?
3. What emotions does the image of War evoke?
4. How do you view religion?
5. What do you think of when the word education is said?
6. How do you view politics?
7. What do you think of when global warming is mentioned?
8. What image pops in your head when the word medicine is said?
5. From msdlouky.org
6. From personaldemocracy.com
7. From renewablepowernews.com
8. From examiner.com
After viewing and thinking about these images, what other thoughts do you have? Would you change or add any images of controversy? There are many issues in our world today that are ever changing as well as many issues that need to be changed but aren't. It is up to us, our generation and below, to make the changes our world needs. You can make a difference! Each individual has a schema that he or she bases their beliefs on. Each schema is based on each individuals definition of many of the images I had above. Please take the time to develop and evolve your schema to today's world. Take the time to change yourself, your school, your community, your state, your nation, our world.
I have seen Killy Us Softly by Jean Kilbourne before during my senior year in High School, but it was still very shocking for me to watch this again. It still amazes me what advertisers put out there. I grew up in a small town, so I wasn't exposed to billboards and constant advertisement, at least not the same type of advertisement you would expect to see in a large city. I did still get exposed to these sexual ads via TV, magazines, and the radio though. Advertising has been around forever and isn't going anywhere. We, as a a society, need to change the way we view and share advertising. In reality though, I just don't see that happening. Our society is too focused on sex, that most of the ads out there today have sex as either a main message or subliminal message. This is deeply troublesome to me, and I really wish there was a way for me to change the advertising world. For now though, we will have to take small steps to change womens' views of themselves. Movements such as the Dove campaign, Special K, Slim Fast and Weight Watchers are some good examples of what women, and men, can use to help motivate this change. Below is a preview of Killing Us Softly 4 for you to enjoy. I would like to ask you all, if you could change just one (1) thing about advertising in today's American society, what would it be and why?
Now that we have have a few classes, and discussed aspects of visual literacy during class, I have decided to see what other people define visual literacy as to help me develop my own definition/theory of it. Below are three definitions that I found to be the most helpful to me. Visual literacy is the ability to interpret, negotiate, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image. Visual literacy is based on the idea that pictures can be “read” and that meaning can be communicated through a process of reading. (Wikipedia)
From justbathroomsigns.com
Visual literacy is the ability to look at visual information with perception. A visually literate person understands how visual elements contribute to the meaning of the whole. (PBS) Visual literacy is the ability to interpret and use design elements of visual texts and to understand how they can be used for particular purposes in specific contexts. (Oxford University Document)
From newworldencyclopedia.org
After reading through this definitions, I have established my own theory: Visual literacy is the ability to interpret, create meaning from, and use visual information and elements to communicate with others the meaning of a whole idea.
I also wanted to find websites and videos that help define and expand the meaning of visual literacy. Visual literacy K-8 is a website for K-8 classroom teachers who are interested in helping children to read and write information, both print and electronic. Visual literacy helps children to learn to read and to enjoy reading! Examples of visual texts include: diagrams, maps, tables, time lines, and storyboard.
I also found a pretty cool wiki that is all about visual literacy. The wiki includes definitions, activities, reasons why to learn about it, and how to use it.
from clevelandsports.org
from otisframpton.typepad.com
dormzy.com
This video is very thought provoking and really made me think about the power of visual symbols and the everyday effect they have on people from all societies.
This video is made for teachers to use in their classrooms to inspire students.
To sum up, I have learned a lot about visual literacy while searching different websites and videos. There are visual symbols EVERYWHERE in our world, and all citizens should know how to interpret this symbols that represent specific people, places, things, and ideas. Throughout this post are some images that I see everyday in my life as a college student at UNI.
From friends-scripts.tumblr.com
From http://local.yahoo.com/info-
45044036-cradles-2-crayons-cedar-falls
I found this video and completely loved it! The video perfectly depicts the important and consistency of visual symbols in the world today, both digitally and in person.
Found at cheyart.blogspot.com
Visual symbols are EVERYWHERE! No matter where I go, I am constantly viewing visual symbols, whether it be on campus (in classrooms, dining centers, etc) or off campus (at stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc). Visual symbols are always affecting my daily life. Some of the visual symbols I see include: road signs (speed limit, yield, stop); religious icons, such as the cross, yen and yang, and menorah; signs in the library that represent food, drinks, or quiet/group areas; musical notes; handicap signs; and the pink breast cancer ribbon.
Found at parafreview.hostiko.com
One visual symbol that I didn't mention yet is a tattoo. I plan on getting a tattoo soon in memory of my Dad, and this is the visual symbol that affects my life most. I have always wanted to get a tattoo, but not of just anything. A tattoo is permanent, and I want it to mean something to me (to represent me as a true visual symbol). I plan on getting my dad's signature along with his birth and death dates tattooed on my upper back to honor what a great man he was. Tattoos are powerful visual symbols because they can represent who a person truly is. Just by looking at someone with a tattoo(s), generally, you can get a sense of who they are. I want my tattoo is show everyone my love, respect, and grief of my dad. Also, my tattoo has personal significance to me, which is why it is such a powerful visual symbol of who I am.
This video demonstrates the power of symbols in the past and present.
Found at flickr.com User: tif_fanny
thegreatoutdoorslandscape.com
In my search of visual symbols, I came across a website that was an online visual dictionary. Merriam Webster Online Visual Dictionary. This website has visuals of words one may be trying to search. This helps me understand visual symbols because it gives pictures and symbols of different words throughout the website. Try it out and see if you can find some interesting symbols that represent who you are!
