Here's Looking at You

Amy Bohman
EDMT 380-002 Critique Commentary 2
Fall 2005

Here's Looking at You!

The concept of visual literacy is often left behind as unimportant, especially when it comes to what graphics are used in publications. While reading the second chapter of Visual Literacy by Lynell Burmark, I found myself nodding my head in agreement with many of her statements. Although many of the facts she cited were new to me, they made sense.

The idea of dualcoding (first introduced on page 9) really hit home for me. Being a very visual learner, I learn best with diagrams, models, demonstrations and pictures. When I have to listen for what seems like hours without any kind of visual, I have to go back over the information two times as much in preparation for an exam. A PowerPoint presentation helps me retain more information. If I can see an image of what is being presented, or experience a phenomenon, I will have that memory with me for a longer time.

The best teacher, in many cases, is experience. However, experience is not always possible when it comes to learning about foreign countries, or the consequences of dangerous actions. However, no amount of language can effectively describe these lessons without the use of graphics.

I was so glad that Burmark brought up the use of clip art. I have been in many classes where the professor or teacher used clip art graphics in their presentations that have been used several times before. When the same images get used over and over, they lose any effect they may have had. The same instances happen when I observe signs around campus. The same clip art is used on multiple posters, and focus is taken away from the information because the graphic has already been seen. I fully agree with allowing children to use their imaginations instead of limiting their creativity. Children need to know their ideas are important and insightful. Having students use clip art sends the message that what was done before is better than anything they could come up with.

We talked about the importance of letting children express themselves in my Art class last year, however, I never really thought about how that could apply to clip art. I am very glad the information on Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences is mentioned. His views on the way people learn and absorb information is fascinating. It is true that most emphasis is placed on the linguistic, logical-mathematical, and intrapersonal intelligences. The interpersonal, spatial/visual, musical, bodily kinesthetic, and naturalist intelligences are often viewed as insignificant. Reading this section made me think about the many people who would even think about removing these already neglected intelligences from school curriculum.

Last Updated on December 19, 2005
Any Questions? Email bohmanac@uwec.edu