Visual literacy is the ability to interpret, negotiate and make meaning from information presented in a visual form. Visual literacy is based on the idea that pictures can be 'read' and is also a major component of the OSSLT in March.
While I recognize that sometimes it is difficult to incorporate explicit teaching of all these literacies in every subject, sometimes it can sneak up on you.
Like it did to me this week.
While trying to come up with a creative way for my students to review macromolecules, I stumbled across a website dedicated to info-graphics--a digital museum of all types of info-graphics on a wide variety of topics.
Check it out here.
Info-graphics and data visualizations are changing the way we present and interpret information. You can find info-graphics everywhere--in national newspapers; textbooks and online.
It looked cool. Did I have time to try this out with my class?
Absolutely. It took me 10 min.
I introduced info-graphics to the class using the Visual.ly website. I simply showed them some examples.
And then I asked them to create an info-graphic about a macromolecule. I suggested they use whatever program they were most comfortable with to create the info-graphic--Powerpoint, Word, Publisher or Photoshop.
I was not going to be assessing the 'tech' aspect, but the 'biology' content.
And I let them go.
Here is what I received from some of my students:
I am so proud of my students! They took the assignment, ran with it and produced great info-graphics.
Good job, 12U!!
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