What [do you know/can you find out] about photo-visual literacy?
I originally did not really know that much about photo-visual literacy. However, since we have previously learned about information literacy in this class, I had an idea of what photo-visual literacy consisted of. After searching for more information on photo-visual literacy I found that it is basically the ability to use and understand images. According to the International Visual Literacy Association visual literacy is developing the ability to look at an image while also using other sensory experiences to understand something. Once these abilities are acquired, a person can interpret objects, symbols, and visible actions in order to communicate with others. The author additionally mentions that it is hard to find an agreed upon definition of visual literacy because of the complexity of the subject.
The Oakland Museum of California provides photo-visual literacy activities for students. They also say that students become visually literate by visually encoding and visually decoding. Thus, meaning that students express themselves through visual from and interpret/understand the meaning of visual forms. Further information is provided about how our own personal experiences and opinions influence how we interpret photos. I think it is interesting that each and every person will possibly interpret the same picture differently because of their own personal experiences.
What are your reactions to the idea that there are certain skills?
After reading and learning more about photo-visual literacy, I agree that there are certain skills that a person must posses. It is interesting to me that there are actually activities that can help someone improve their photo-visual literacy skills. This demonstrates the fact that the more people practice, the more visually literate the person will become. I am probably not the most visually literate person, but I feel like I know enough that I can walk myself through something given the context and trial and error. I have had enough experience with it to understand photos and images.
How do you think this “new” literacy will change education/schooling?
I think that photo-visual literacy has and will continue to change education/schooling. Thinking back to my early education, I don’t believe we started really using computers or different visual forms until much later compared to schools today. From doing Energy Express, a summer reading program for children in K-3rd grade, I know that more emphasis is now put on using diagrams, charts, or other forms of visual information then when I was in school. We were encouraged to provide some sort of visual activity such as drawing, making a Vin diagram, or other charts for almost every book or story that we read. This was a way to tie all of the information that we discussed together for all the children. I also have a good friend who is currently teaching 2nd grade, and she is always telling me about their art projects and different diagrams they use. This reminds me of the survey we took near the beginning of this semester about what kind of learners we were. I think having more practice in schools with photo-visual literacy will improve their skills and be an advantage to the students.
