Visual learning is one of the best methods for
teaching of thinking skills and helping to organize ideas. Visual
diagrams help students make connections and transfer knowledge. They help
students recognize patterns, interrelationships and inter-dependencies among and
between new concepts. Visual diagrams create a “learn to think” and “learn to
learn” attitude. “Learning to think” (how to think?) and “learning to learn”(how
to learn?) are the essential skills of learner’s success.
Proverbs, sayings and quotes on visual literacy
“One seeing is better
than a hundred times telling about" - Old
Chinese proverb.
“A picture is worth a
thousand words” (an old adage).
“Every picture tells
a story.” (an old saying).
“The use of visual
tools creates a shift in classroom dynamics from passive to interactive
learning for all to see.” (D. Hyerle, 1996).
Definition of visual literacy
Visual Literacy is “the ability to understand and
use images including the ability to think, learn and express oneself in terms
of images”.
Why visual literacy?
About 90% of all information that comes into
our brain is VISUAL and about 40% of all nerve fibres connected to the brain are linked to the RETINA.
About 36,000 visual images per
hour may be registered by the EYES(From Brain Based Learning - Eric Jensen, 1996).
Visual displays can serve as a more effective
alternative to traditional text presentation. Visual displays are effective for enhancing
the learning of text information. Visual displays can serve to
facilitate retention of information. Visual displays facilitate encoding
and retrieval of information.
Visual intelligence
People learn visually by observing, perceiving,
watching, connecting, drawing, showing, communicating and structuring their
thoughts. The better you learn to
appreciate colour, harmony, balance, symmetry, repetition, direction and so
forth, the more you’ll learn from what you see and the more you’ll enjoy life. Visualization is a two-way street. You can create pictures as well as
look at them. Verbal literacy depends on learning grammar,
rhetoric, and vocabulary. Visual literacy encompasses understanding color,
tone, line texture, proportions, boldness, symmetry, repetition, accent and
media.
Visual tools
Physical models, Mental pictures, interactive visualization, imaginary visualization and stories, pictures, sketches, diagrams, images and pictographs and Kinesthetic activity
Visual maps
Brainstorming webs; graphic organizers; concept maps and mind maps
Benefits of visual tools
visual tools
provide one mechanism to direct and focus attention. Visual tools give an instant picture of
relationships of ideas and complex meaning. Visual tools improve presentation. Visual
tools proved to be more persuasive. Visual tools facilitate recall and
retention.
Visual learning helps students:
Visual learning helps brainstorm, develop, organize and communicate ideas. One can see connections, patterns and relationships in visuals. Students can assess and share prior knowledge. Visual learning can develop vocabulary. Visual diagrams can be useful for outlining ideas in the writing process. Students can highlight important ideas. They can clarify or categorize concepts, ideas and information. They can even comprehend the events in a story or book. Preparation of visuals improve social interaction between students and facilitate group work and collaboration among peers. They can facilitate recall and retention.Improve reading comprehensive skills and strategies.Educational benefits of visual tools
Graphic Organizers are visual representations of knowledge. It is a frame used to organize information. GOs are also referred to as: knowledge maps, story maps, cognitive organizers, advance organizers, concept diagrams and thinking maps. Visual tools help in organizing the thought process. They help rearrange text and useful in summarizing the information. They clarify thinking and locate and remember facts/ideas. They present the big picture or view information in a meaningful whole. They show inter-relationships among ideas.They reinforce understanding and integrate new knowledge.
Kinds of graphic organizers (GOs)
•
Bubble map
•
Double bubble map
•
Circle map
•
Chain of events
•
Clustering map
•
Cycle map
•
Brace map
•
Venn diagram
•
Interaction outline
•
Problem/solution
•
Persuasion map
•
Time – order chart
•
E-chart
•
T-chart
•
Flow chart
•
Tree chart
Benefits of Graphic organizers as valuable instructional tools
They help to organize, link, integrate and communicate large amounts of information more easily. They allow easy editing and drawing different perspectives. They are flexible and endless in application. They are underutilized in teaching - learning situation. They are ideal for many types of learners because GOs use short words or phrases. They offer greater retention and reduce instructional time. They can be used in all phases of learning from brainstorming ideas to presenting ideas.
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