Visual Literacy
Reviewed: January 2008
This page has been kept for reference.
It will no longer be updated by ICVET.
Visual literacy is the ability to understand and use images. This includes to think, learn, and express oneself in terms of images. [2005, eduScapes, Information Inquiry for Teachers]
Visual literacy entails the reading and critical appreciation and understanding of visual images such as pictures, charts, and web pages.
‘To be visually literate, then, students need to understand the signs and symbols that are used to construct meanings, and that these symbols make us understand things and react in particular ways. To analyse the meaning or meanings contained within images, we need a shared, technical language that enables the reader/viewer to discuss the different choices that have been made in the construction of the image.’ [2004, Association of Independent Schools of NSW]
Websites
Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AIS)
This website aims to help teachers access literacy-focused professional development materials online, which will extend their understanding of teaching literacy and assist them to implement a range of learning strategies to enhance their students’ knowledge.
Publications
BAMFORD, Anne 2003, The
Visual Literacy Whitepaper, Adobe
Systems Pty Ltd, Australia.
The article provides a comprehensive account of visual literacy and its importance in contemporary culture. Includes a definition of Visual Literacy, a history , links to other websites and further reading.
BLEED,
R 2005, Visual
Literacy in Higher Education, Educause Learning Initiative
Advocates the teaching of visual literacy and its incorporation into educational curricula. The 21st century student is ‘bombarded' with visual images and needs to be able to critically 'interpret and create visual, digital and audio media'. The article discusses within the context of higher education, the importance of visual literacy courses and teacher education programs. The author provides a bibliography of useful resources.
JONES-KAVALIER, Barbara R & Flannigan, Suzanne L 2006, Connecting the Digital Dots: Literacy of the 21st Century, EQ Educause Quarterly, Vol 29, No 2
The article examines the terms digital and visual literacy in the context of a 21st century 'accelerated, media-saturated, and automated' society. Authors are critical of a lack of technology plans and professional development in educational organisations as well as trial-and-error approaches in classrooms. There is a need to apply the skills of critical thinking (analysis, synthesis, and evaluation) to the teaching of digital literacy. The authors provide a bibliography of resources.