Entry Number 2 (Module 4)

Hello,

There are many tools available to today’s teacher that provides them with opportunities to make an impact on the teaching and learning process within the classroom. This week we discussed visual literacy. Visual literacy is quite simply using pictures to convey something versus using words.  It could be a poster or visual aid a teacher may adorn her room with or it could be the way a math problem is portrayed.The idea is to get a message across within the picture with little to no text. 

Some examples follow:

In a library or maybe even a classroom reading nook, one might find something like this:

 


 

This image displays a young girl demonstrating what we all understand as being quiet, or quite simply "shhh." This makes a clear statement without ever needing to add text stating to be quiet.

Here is another example:

This is one we see used universally. While it may be more readily used with the word STOP emblazoned upon it, this simple red octagon carries a very strong message even so.



One final example is something one may see in early elementary math class. Instead of using numbers to express a simple addition or subtraction problem, one might find something like this:

 


Along with the use of visual literary, the internet has become an important staple in many classrooms. This in itself is still a continuing transition. Schools with better funding most likely have internet/wifi use within the classroom, to include a 1:1 device:student ratio. While there are other schools that have less funding or may be rural schools and may not have these advances. Some may still have a designated computer room with time slots for classes to use. 

Having access to the internet is a key to unlocking the door to exploring the world at your fingertips. I would have the internet be utilized as a resource for researching. It would also be used  to enhance lessons. For example, in social studies we could watch videos, host interviews/video conferences, and take tours of places we would normally only see a few flat pictures of within the bindings of a textbook. We as a class would be free to explore more. Of course, any sites to be visited would be prescreened by the teacher to ensure the educational legitimacy of said site.