Increasing Visual Literacy Skills

Lance, Wilhelm. (2005). Increasing Visual Literacy Skills With Digital Imagery. THE Journal. Retrieved March 25, 2008, from http://thejournal.com/articles/17145

I enjoyed this article because it gave ideas on how a teacher could use a digital camera to both increase their own productivity, as well as increase the visual literacy of their students.

Ideas for the teacher:

• Take a photo of each child on the first day of school and put in a book along with contact/important information to help you learn more about your students
  
• Take photos of your white board instead of copying all notes
• Teach students how to import and organize photos
• Teach students how to create slide shows of images
• Teach students how to photograph a process (like planting a seed)
• Teach students how to make a photo journal (maybe from a field trip)
• Teach students ethical aspects of using other's images
  

Ideas for the students:

• Put students in pairs to go out and take specific photos (if they are young, you may want a volunteer to go with them, too)
• Students import photos
• Students edit photos
• Students create using photos (slide shows, photo journals, steps of a process, etc.)
  

To do all of these wonderful things, you do need one thing in particular: A DIGITAL CAMERA!!
Here are some things to keep in mind when selecting a camera for student use:

• If the school is purchasing, make sure all cameras are the same (this helps cut down on learning time)
• Camera should be durable
• Camera should be user friendly
• Camera should easily allow you to store/export photos
• Cost: compare mega-pixels to price

Other tips:

• Set up a procedure for erasing images once they are uploaded
• Keep the batteries charged
• Learn and teach about the camera's specific settings

These are just a few things to keep in mind when thinking about using a digital camera in your classroom. Remember, that the instruction should come first...the camera should be a tool to achieve your learning goals. As previously stated, the use of digital cameras does tend to motivate students to stay engaged and do better and higher-level work. According to Wilhelm (2005), "The use of images is becoming more pervasive in modern culture, and schools must adapt their curricula and instructional practices accordingly. Visual literacy is becoming more important from a curricular standpoint as society relies to a greater degree on images and visual communication strategies. Thus, in order for students to be marketable in modern society, they must acquire visual literacy skills." These statements really underscore the need for educators to provide more practice and application of digital media in the classroom...the cameras just make it FUN (I think)!! Happy Snapping!

Sabrina