1. Copy and paste a quote from the reading that causes you to have a strong reaction (agreement, disagreement, confusion...) and explain your reaction.
There were many quotes in this week's reading that got my attention so I picked the first one that garnished a reaction first.
"We have become desensitized to how visual images affect our thinking and how we view ourselves."
This quote caused me to have a strong reaction because it is true, and I didn't even realize it until I started to think about it. The biggest example that I can think of that I deal with daily is commercials on television. I absolutely hate watching commercials because it takes time away from my favorite programs and they are so loud compared to the program. On the times that I do watch the commercials instead of switch over laundry or some other chore, I find the content of the commercials to influence daily life such as shopping and pop culture. I also take my personal preferences into account when a commercial suggests I wear a certain perfume or item of clothing to be like the person on television. I say to myself that I would never wear that perfume, but when I'm shopping I forget about the ridiculous commercial and try out the fragrance. I think we have become desensitized because we are quick to dismiss something without actually giving it a try first.
2. Why should educators care about multimodal texts?
Educators should care about multimodal texts because in order to become a fully functioning member of society, students need to learn how to navigate, interpret, design, and to question all modes they encounter such as visual, written, and design elements. In order for a student to be able to do all those tasks with day to day occurrences with modes, students need to know how images, texts, and systems are used and created in order to create some meaning for the student. According to the text, it is suggested that teachers need to develop units of study that focus on multimodal ensembles and lessons that help students make sense of these complex texts (Serafini, 2014).
Educators should care about multimodal texts because in order to become a fully functioning member of society, students need to learn how to navigate, interpret, design, and to question all modes they encounter such as visual, written, and design elements. In order for a student to be able to do all those tasks with day to day occurrences with modes, students need to know how images, texts, and systems are used and created in order to create some meaning for the student. According to the text, it is suggested that teachers need to develop units of study that focus on multimodal ensembles and lessons that help students make sense of these complex texts (Serafini, 2014).
3. How is your definition of literacy different or similar to the definition of literacy presented in the book? Or how did the reading change or expand your definition of literacy?
My definition of literacy is close to the definition presented in the book. Literacy, as defined in the book is, " being literate requires one to be able to use the various modes of representation to make sense of the world and convey meanings in particular social contexts for particular social purposes (Serafini, 2014). I am similar because at first I thought literacy only meant the ability to read and write, but as times have changed and technology has become more of a focus in education, I've also expanded my literacy definition to include being able to communicate in different forms and in different social settings. I think the book helped to expand my definition by including the different modes with which people need to be literate.
My definition of literacy is close to the definition presented in the book. Literacy, as defined in the book is, " being literate requires one to be able to use the various modes of representation to make sense of the world and convey meanings in particular social contexts for particular social purposes (Serafini, 2014). I am similar because at first I thought literacy only meant the ability to read and write, but as times have changed and technology has become more of a focus in education, I've also expanded my literacy definition to include being able to communicate in different forms and in different social settings. I think the book helped to expand my definition by including the different modes with which people need to be literate.
4. How can visual literacy support the development of the kinds of reading and writing we want children to learn through schooling?
Visual literacy can be used as a tool to help deepen understandings of complex or simple concepts. As Serafini (2014) describes, "Visual literacy is the process of generating meanings in transaction with multimodal ensembles, including written text, visual images, and design elements, from a variety of perspectives to meet the requirements of particular social contexts" (p. 23). If children are learning a subject in school and do not have a good grasp of the meaning, then the tool of being visually literate can help the student bridge the gap between the text, subject, meaning, and visual stimuli that connects the concepts in better ways that what has been achieved. In addition, Serafini describes visual literacy as being in a social context. Today, students are subjected to so many images and multimodal means that they have some grasp of meanings just from being somewhat visually literate. If teachers can use and develop that skill, the outcomes could be greater for both the student and the teacher and create deeper meanings and associations with multimodal categories and concepts.
Visual literacy can be used as a tool to help deepen understandings of complex or simple concepts. As Serafini (2014) describes, "Visual literacy is the process of generating meanings in transaction with multimodal ensembles, including written text, visual images, and design elements, from a variety of perspectives to meet the requirements of particular social contexts" (p. 23). If children are learning a subject in school and do not have a good grasp of the meaning, then the tool of being visually literate can help the student bridge the gap between the text, subject, meaning, and visual stimuli that connects the concepts in better ways that what has been achieved. In addition, Serafini describes visual literacy as being in a social context. Today, students are subjected to so many images and multimodal means that they have some grasp of meanings just from being somewhat visually literate. If teachers can use and develop that skill, the outcomes could be greater for both the student and the teacher and create deeper meanings and associations with multimodal categories and concepts.
5. Find an online resources that addresses issues of visual literacy in education link to it or embed it your blog posting and provide a brief explanation of how it relates to this week's reading.
This video provides visual literacy in the classroom with some examples of where it is seen in the mainstream. Also, it has focused on educators needing to realize that visual literacy is evident in all subjects and suggests that visual literacy needs to be specifically taught as a separate course for students. The video also recognizes the importance of the power educators have on teaching visual literacies.
6. Find an image that relates to the ideas presented in this week's reading.
Used with permission: http://etec.ctlt.ubc.ca/510wiki/images/b/bc/Visual_literacy.jpg
References:
Serafini, F. (2014). Reading the visual. New York: Teachers College Press.
Gina,
ReplyDeleteYour post relating television commercials to your decision making was a great example. I never thought of how much the commercials I see when I do watch TV
(which is seldom) do influence my shopping or dining experiences. I know the younger generation is highly influenced by all the Toys R Us advertisement especially as Christmas approaches. We are influenced and make choices by images all around us on a daily basis.
As educators we should capitalize on the effectiveness of multimodal text and ensembles in our teaching. When we do incorporate these teaching strategies students can make connections and deepen their understanding of higher learning concepts they encounter. For example, my certification in math has led me to incorporate images that reinforce my teaching lessons so students can visualize the concept especially when I encounter visual learners. Images and other multimodal ensembles can reinforce math concepts and make learning more effective.
I'm glad you all recognize that advertising influences how we see ourselves and the world. Visual literacy is more than learning how to design meaningful multimodal ensembles. It is also learning how to interpret and decipher the society power structures embedded in them.
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point about being desensitized to visual media. The analogy to commercials was spot-on. "Visual literacy skills are not isolated from other sensory skills." We don't even have to see the commercial to be affected! Great job.
ReplyDeleteYes, the visual stimuli can and will make a huge difference in student literacy, and the many social contexts play a vital role. "Visual literacy is about the process of generating interpretations from the meaning potentials available when transacting with visual images and multimodal ensembles." I know that sounds complicated but the influencers that affect interpretation is huge, and don't doubt for a moment that the marketers know it!!