Session Type
Workshop
Start Date
6-7-2011 4:00 PM
Keywords
visual literacy; photography; active learning; questions; evaluation
Primary Threads
Teaching and Learning Science
Abstract
With the widespread availability of digital photography, we have failed to really capture this readily accessible tool and integrate it into student learning in the sciences, or use it as a means to encourage connections as students move from novice towards more expert thinking within their discipline. In the use of digital photography by students in a disciplinary context, expertise can increase as students must (1) first understand what they are seeing, (2) make the connection to their class material, and (3) be able to justify their choice and clarify their assumptions. In particular, the connection-making process together with justification through clarifying assumptions, are facets of expert-thinking that commonly differ from the thinking of novices. Students photographing subject material creates a novel way to facilitate such meaning-making and communication, and serves as a way to move the thinking outside the classroom box.
This session will explore a number of possible ways to integrate photography and other visual imagery such as videos, diagrams, sketches, and maps, into student learning. We will look at how we might use photography and other imagery to encourage writing and discussion, provide an out-of-classroom learning opportunity for our students, encourage students to generate questions, and even use photography to evaluate student learning. This interactive session invites participants to explore ways to actively engage students in learning both inside and outside the classroom while developing students’ visual literacy, and enhancing communication skills using visuals.
You are encouraged to bring a camera or a camera phone!
Seeing with New Eyes: Developing Visual Literacy in the Sciences
With the widespread availability of digital photography, we have failed to really capture this readily accessible tool and integrate it into student learning in the sciences, or use it as a means to encourage connections as students move from novice towards more expert thinking within their discipline. In the use of digital photography by students in a disciplinary context, expertise can increase as students must (1) first understand what they are seeing, (2) make the connection to their class material, and (3) be able to justify their choice and clarify their assumptions. In particular, the connection-making process together with justification through clarifying assumptions, are facets of expert-thinking that commonly differ from the thinking of novices. Students photographing subject material creates a novel way to facilitate such meaning-making and communication, and serves as a way to move the thinking outside the classroom box.
This session will explore a number of possible ways to integrate photography and other visual imagery such as videos, diagrams, sketches, and maps, into student learning. We will look at how we might use photography and other imagery to encourage writing and discussion, provide an out-of-classroom learning opportunity for our students, encourage students to generate questions, and even use photography to evaluate student learning. This interactive session invites participants to explore ways to actively engage students in learning both inside and outside the classroom while developing students’ visual literacy, and enhancing communication skills using visuals.
You are encouraged to bring a camera or a camera phone!