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Visual Literacy
How does Visual Literacy fit in with Global Collaboration, Project Based Learning and Flipped Learning?
As educators, visuals are included in almost everything we do. We share them with our students, with our PLN, with parents and colleagues. We know the power that visuals can have, and we share them often. When we are using and sharing visuals we need to ensure we are doing it in an effective and safe way. By modeling this for our students we show them how to effectively interact with others in an increasingly visual world. When I collaborate with my PLN I want to ensure that I am sharing images that inspire and bring meaning to those interacting with them. I want to be sure I am sharing them in a fair and safe way. The same goes for sharing images with or for my students. By showing them that there are good ways to share images with those around us, they will hopefully in turn share images effectively themselves. Within project based learning, students are given much more freedom to research and find answers to questions that drive their learning. Much of the information they find will be based around visuals or will utilize their place within the information they are conveying. Students need to know how to read these images effectively. They need to know how to look for codes and information within the image so that they can read, understand, use and discuss them a meaningful way. Project based learning can also call for students to create images to share with others based on the information and knowledge they have gained. By improving their visual literacy and learning to create visual information that would be useful and insightful for others, they are gaining real world skills that will translate to both their life and work for many years to come. Lastly within the context of flipped learning, students might have less opportunity to read, and will rely more heavily on the images shared with them through videos and examples I create or those I borrow from like-minded educators. I need to be visually literate as I create those images or search for them, so that I am sharing information I know students can interpret and understand. I need to be sure that there are colors, fonts, and images that make sense and convey the right message to students so that they can get the most out of the learning opportunities they encounter. Visual literacy is about teaching students to read, create, think about and interpret visual images they will encounter in their everyday life. Although a skill I never really considered until the beginning of this cohort, it is one I see incredible opportunities in teaching my students and learning about even further as I adapt my teaching and learning style to an ever changing 21st Century world. Can Visual Literacy enhance the learning in your classroom? How? Visual literacy can enhance learning in my classroom by teaching both students and myself how to get more out of the images that we share and encounter. When I think about some of the videos or images I have used as part of my teaching in the past, I look back now and wonder how the discussions and interactions with students might have changed had I taught them more about how to truly read the images we were using. This is a skill that cannot be ignored, and one, I know now, must be taught. Within an older style of teaching, images might be shared because of a slight connection to content or added for visual appeal. By seriously considering and teaching students how to read images, I will be held to a higher standard when it comes to only included that which enhances teaching and learning in my classroom. By teaching students to create images as well, they are able to express themselves visually in a fun and engaging way that translates to real world experiences. I remember showing Canva to a student this past year. Within a few days he had created over 20 different visuals using the program and was so motivated and encouraged to continue creating more. I now see even more opportunities to work with students and show them how to create more effective images that convey the messages they are trying to share. There are so many meaningful connections I can make through my teaching and within student learning, that there is no doubt this will have a tremendous impact on my classroom for many years to come!
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