IMPORTANCE OF VISUAL LITERACY SKILLS AMONG TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO ENLIVEN CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING

Dr . Lalit Kishore

Visual Literacy: Significance

We live in a visual world or the world of semi-abstract symbols which represent reality and the ability to read visual images is becoming a vital skill.

Visual images are fast becoming the most predominant form of communication on the electronic media and print media.

Debe’s definition

The term “visual literacy” is credited to John Debes, co-founder of the International Visual Literacy Association.

In 1969 Debes offered a tentative definition of the

concept:

“Visual literacy refers to a group of vision-competencies a human being can develop by seeing and at the same time having and integrating other sensory experiences.”

 

Formalization of term “visual literacy” as knowledge area

Dictionary definition The ability to represent,

recognize and understand ideas conveyed through visual drawings, visible actions and images (as pictures) produced by various means.

~ Webster Dictionary

Need for visual literacy among teachers

With the ratio of image to text ratio increasing in the print and e-learning media and through on-line multi-media communication for learning, teachers need to become visual-literates.

Moreover, visual literacy supports classroom practice in many ways across the curriculum to enhance visual intelligence and use of visuals as pedagogical tools to enliven the classroom communication.

Visual literacy: Meanings

Ability to draw visual symbols and interact with, interpret, and make meaning from information presented in the form of an image

Ability to communicate through visual representation of reality as a way to codify information.

Underlying idea is that visuals and pictures can be read and semi-concrete symbols be made so that meaning can be communicated.

In focus

Due to new printing technology and use of ITCs in learning there is a revival of focus on erstwhile neglected skill for communication, namely visual literacy, or the ability to decode, interpret, evaluate, apply, or create visual representations of Reality Concepts ideas

Need for training in visual literacy With training in visual literacy, both

teachers and students are able hone basic drawing skills of simple visuals and use visual representations to create and communicate knowledge, or to devise new ways of developing and representing insights gained in acquired knowledge

 

Training approach

The didactic approach of training in visual literacy must consists of guided practice of basic visual drawing skills

its application in relevant contexts; and

its integration with classroom instruction

Current scope

Visual literacy skills have a wider scope Due to fast rate of technology

advancement, the learning of visual literacies has become indispensable for education in the information age.

Educators and teachers need to recognizing the importance of helping students develop visual literacies in order to communicate in a technology driven highly complex world.