Week #11 (Chapters 9 & 10)

What is visual literacy? Where and when is it learned? Why is it important? Contrast Internet broadcasts, live cams, and Net meetings. How can each of these Internet-based video technologies be used in teaching and learning?

 Visual literacy is the ability to interpret graphics accurately. One of the easiest examples to understand what visual literacy is is to think about the term “universal sign”; this is something everyone can understand. The most frequent use of universal signs/visual literacy is road signs. Every road has some sort of visual cue for the driver. Think about it – hospital, interstate, highway, zoo, emergency route, parking, eating, restrooms, and other such important signs. It is possible for all to understand these symbols. These types of visual meanings are learned over time; familiarity is what makes these signs have meaning.

 Visual literacy is important because our society has become a much more visual world. The availability of information is so much faster, and comes from all over the world. The need to communicate to different language-speaking folks is imperative. We travel more, and we hear more from other countries so the visual component of communication is big!

 Time is also of importance to people. There does not seem to be the interest to sit and read news and information as in the past. Now, people want news in a microwave fashion – in 30 seconds or less. The only way for that to happen will be a picture (which is worth a thousand words) and the meaning needs to be clear and concise. It seems that comprehension is in segments; no long novel type information for the busy folks of today.

 Various types of visual communication are now available to everyone. The Internet broadcast, live cams, and Net meetings each have a place in visual communication in the classroom. The difference in each of the medium is significant. Each of the methods would have a specific use in a classroom. The Internet broadcast would have best use for announcing information to a large group at the same time. The information could be from anywhere in the world. It is a one-way communication that would not require everyone be brought together in a single room, but each group could see/hear the information over the computer in the individual classes.

 The live cam is a great way for learning from all over the world. The video is directly from live cameras placed strategically to gain educational information. The limitation is that if a camera and Internet access are not available, then you do not get the information. This is ideal for learning about animals, ways of life in all parts of the world.

 The Internet meeting is the optimal for active communication between participants. This is a relatively inexpensive means of sharing information, brain-storming, and general communication. This is an ideal method to communicate with classes around the world, and to see the class as it takes place. Meeting the students and freely communicating right then is a great way to learn!


So much is available to use to learn, and sometimes there is just not enough time to learn it all.