Visual+Literacy

Developing Visual Literacy Skills ...the ability to see, to understand, and ultimately to think, create, and communicate graphically (Thibault & Walbert, 2003)

The following resources and activities will help you achieve the following objectives:toc

• To select and create pedagogically appropriate graphics • Use software to create and edit graphics and photographs, and • Describe principles of effective educational graphics • Use presentation software to support learning

Readings
Boettcher, Judith, Ten Core Principles for Designing Effective Learning Environments: Insights From Brain Research and Pedagogical Theory" Innovate, 2007 3:3 Vallance, Michael and Phillip A. Towndrow, "Towards the 'informed use' of information and communication technology in education: a response to Adams' 'PowerPoint, habits of mind, and classroom culture'" Journal of Curriculum Studies 2007 39:2 219-227. Adams, Catherine, "PowerPoint, habits of mind, and classroom culture" Journal of Curriculum Studies 2006 38:4 389-411. Adams, Catherine, "On the 'informed use' of PowerPoint: rejoining Vallance and Towndrow" Journal of Curriculum Studies 2007 39:2 229-233.

Suggested Activities
A. View some basic principles of design. CARP: Contrast, Repetition Alignment and Proximity

B. View the following presentations and examine the images and text used in these communications based on the following criteria.
 * 1) CARP
 * 2) Simplicity
 * 3) Careful selection of images
 * 4) Moderate use of bullets
 * 5) Integration of text and image
 * 6) Font Selection
 * 7) Use of Colour

Presentation 1: Presentation Skills For Teachers Presentation 2: Paul Lowe, University of London: The Eflective Practitioner.

1. Find the best content
User Generated Content and Creative Commons Content Creative Commons Canada Creative Commons US

Creative Commons key to sharing symbols

CC Attribution Helper This is a handy plugin to use when displaying user generated content.

2. Use efficient editing tools:
Picnik Splashup Gimp Sumopaint

Eleven digital photo editing tools can be found on this page.

Assignment Wednesday, September 29

3. Use presentation tools that match your teaching style
Wikis (had to squeeze in another plug for wikis) Keynote PowerPoint Prezi SlideRocket Cool Iris How Alan Levine uses Cool Iris. More ideas from Alan

4. Share your expertise
Slideshare Scrib.d