Webster’s dictionary defines visual literacy as “the ability to recognize and understand ideas conveyed through visible actions or images.” Wikipedia says that “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.”
In other words, you see this picture, and you know that it is a boat. Do you recall when you learned it was a boat? Do you recall how you learned it was a boat? In most cases, we don’t remember. When and where is it learned? Visual literacy is learned in school, but it is also learned in everyday life. It can be formalized, but more often it is informal. You see a rabbit on television, you learn what a rabbit looks like. No classroom involved. This type of learning begins before any other type of instruction. It does not take a baby long to associate a bottle with feeding time. I guess you could say that that visual literacy occurs through just being alive. The importance of visual literacy cannot be underestimated. As I was reading about this, I wondered how safe the roads would be if we never learned what the traffic signs meant. We just take so much for granted in regards to visual learning. It makes me appreciate the difficulties a blind person experiences.Internet broadcasts are live events and performances offered on web sites. They use streaming video technology. This technology compresses the digital video, and plays it back at the same time it is being received. This technology does require that a video player be installed on the computer.
Live cams are cameras that somebody has connected to their computer. This computer is then connected to the internet, allowing a digitized video image to be sent out over the internet. A person can view this video image by accessing a website that is sharing the camera’s images. In other words, you can see whatever the camera is pointed at.
Internet meetings are conversations with other people utilizing the internet. You are able to see and hear the person or persons and communicate live.
The educational possibilities of these video technologies are mind-boggling. Imagine taking your class on a field trip to Niagara Falls, or to the Atlanta Zoo, without leaving Hattiesburg Mississippi. Imagine discussing the solution to a mathematics problem with a student from China. Better yet, wouldn’t it be nice to watch a live performance by Taylor Swift or Beyonce while sitting in music class? While these technologies are still in their infancies, they are limited only by the imagination. As time goes on, more and more will be available, and the educational benefits will continue to increase.
I agree with you, wouldn’t it be great to watch a live music performance in a music class, or watch a space shuttle launch in a physical science class? I wish all classrooms had the opportunity to use such great technology. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
ReplyDeleteFor example, at my school all teachers are supposed to have a laptop in their classrooms, to use for research and smart board, but mine was broken before I even took over the class and I have been there for two months, they still haven’t fixed it. I had to bring my laptop to class just so I could use power point for note taking.
I really liked how you used a picture to emphasize your definition of visual learning; it allowed me to understand exactly what you were talking about. You are right we do take what we have learned visually for granted, I couldn’t imagine what the world would be like if we didn’t learn what things were by looking at them. Overall I think you did a great job.
I enjoyed reading your reflection and your peer's comments. Very interesting.
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