TECH3008
Introduction to Educational Technology
Dr. Alaa SadikDepartment of Instructional & Learning Technologies
TECH3008
Introduction to Educational Technology
Presentation Four:Visual Principles II: Visual Literacy
Using optical & digital images in education:
Why?How?
Using optical & digital images in education: Why? Learner preferences and styles can more effectively be
addressed. Enhanced learning and retention take place through the
use of visual material. Bring deeper understanding to complex subject matter. Help students focus attention. Improve the decision-making process. Speed adoption of major change. Motivate learners.
Using optical & digital images in education: How?
Print format Books Portrait Newsletters Presentations TV screen Image CD The Web
Visual Literacy (VL)
1. Defining Visual Literacy
“Visual Literacy means being able to read and compose images”.
“The ability to discriminate and interpret visual actions, objects and other images, while gaining meaning from them”.
Visual Literacy (VL
1. Defining Visual Literacy
“Visual literacy skills are required for effective learning and teaching via images”.
Visual Literacy (VL)
2. The importance of Visual Literacy
VL uses images to teach critical and creative thinking, communication and visual literacy.
VL increases student competence in constructing meaning from images that incorporate various curriculum-based subjects.
VL helps students sharpen their powers of observation.
Visual Literacy (VL)
2. The importance of Visual Literacy
VL increases ability to locate information, analyze, reason and form conclusions about the photograph.
VL opens up new worlds for students and engages them to write in more meaningful ways.
VL helps students to think more consciously about the details they see.
Visual Literacy (VL)
3. Enhancing student’s visual literacy: How?
“By asking your students the right questions, they can learn to read and discover the story behind the image”.
Visual Literacy (VL)
3. Enhancing student’s visual literacy: How?
For Example:What information is conveyed by:
gesture? expression? the clothing worn in the photograph? the background? the use of props?
Visual Literacy (VL)
3. Enhancing student’s visual literacy: How?
For Example:- Who created the image?- Who is the audience of the image?- For what purpose was the image created?- What is the message of the image?- Why was the image arranged that way?
Visual Literacy (VL)
4. Student objectives/roles
Practice the skills of observing and interpreting photographs.
Transform visual information into strong descriptive language.
Find/create images that describe/illustrate a specific point of view or issue.
Visual ElementsSyntax and Semantics
Visual Elements: Syntax and Semantics
The Language of Visual Literacy Visuals are a language that allow us to
produce and communicate thoughts and images about reality.
The symbols used in visual communication are not a fixed vocabulary (dictionary).
Visual Elements: Syntax and Semantics
The Language of Visual Literacy Visual communication is made up of
symbols whose meaning results from their context.
A visual meaning is formed by seeing and thinking.
Visual Elements: Syntax and Semantics
Visual Semantics Semantic is the study of language meaning. Visual semantics are the cultural, communicative
and social signs relate to meaning. Examples of visual semantics signs includes:
purpose, photo creator, date & time of shooting, purpose, context, audience, relationships…
Visual Elements: Syntax and Semantics
Visual Syntax Syntax is the grammatical arrangement of words
in sentences. VL syntax is the form of building of blocks of an
image. These blocks are called visual elements. Examples of visual elements includes:
scale, dimension, arrangements, framing, motion, colour, light, shadow, juxtaposition, relative size, foreground, background…
Visual Elements
Main Visual Elements (visual syntax)1. Framing2. Angle3. Lighting4. Timing5. Contrast 6. Scale
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsFraming A technique used to bring the focus and depth to the
subject and objects. What is included and excluded in an individual shot. The photographer’s determination of what the edges of a
photograph will be.
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsFramingA wonderful scene, framed by a window frame
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsFramingA party attender, framed by her friends
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsFramingA beautiful sunset, naturally framed by the clouds
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsAngle The direction from which the artist photographs the
subject. A technique used to change/improve the look of objects
by using different camera directions. Angles are used to convey different information and
feelings about the same subject.
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsAngleIf you like to sell your car, capture a goodphotos from an appropriate angle.
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsAngleLooks great
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsAngleLooks great
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsAngleLooks young but ambitious
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsAngleLooks more beautiful
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsAngleLooks bright
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsAngleLooks great
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsAngle
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsAngle
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsLighting Lighting is a technique used to imply a mood/emotion. Very contrasting lighting (dark shadows, bright highlights)
is more dramatic than a soft gentle light. Lighting and shadows also provide clues to the figuring
out the larger setting and time of day the shot was taken.
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsLighting
Visual Elements
Main Visual ElementsLighting
Activities
A. Find images.B. Define and describe images.C. Content & image analysis (various student
books).D. Using Images to create a visual story.
Discussions &Conclusions