Visual Literacy in the Classroom

How can visual literacy and the use of the Internet impact the teaching and learning process in the classroom?
In the 21st century, learners must be able to interpret visual messages accurately and to create such messages Students are inundated with visuals, therefore, it has become vital for them to be able to read, understand, create, analyze, and learn from the persuasiveness of visuals.   Using visual literacy in the classroom addresses the needs of students who are visual learners as well as develop critical thinking skills for all students.  Visual literacy can help students enhance their ability to learn, exhibit learning, work, and succeed in an increasingly visual world.  Using the internet can help learners to decode or “read” visuals (e.g., through picture analysis and discussion of multimedia and video programs) and encode or “write” visuals (e.g., through planning and producing visual presentations using technology tools such as Power Point or free digital software) (Smaldino, Lowther, & Russell, 2008).  The internet provides students and teachers with immediate access to numerous teaching and networking tools such as virtual field trips, research information, articles, blogs, websites, chat rooms, publications, wikis, email, discussion forums, for example.  These tools allow teachers and students to communicate and collaborate, while enhancing higher level thinking skills.
What are some visual-thinking strategies you would like to use in your classroom?
In my classroom I love to use videos to show how math relates to the real-world (virtual field trips, teacher tube videos, Smart board lessons with videos), images from the internet of real people using math or items that relate to mathematical topics, power-points, and Google earth tools ( satellite pictures, etc.)  I would like to use blogs, discussion forums, chat rooms, and video conferencing with other educators and people around the world.
What role do you want the Internet play in your classroom?
I use the Internet to show video tutorials, for virtual field trips, demonstrations, email, educational games, and drill-and-practice.  I would like to use the Internet more effectively as a teaching tool, more than entertainment; to help students understand the possibilities are limitless if they are willing to be proactive, inquisitive, and hungry to learn.  Understanding and using technology is one the keys to their future and the avenue to their success in the 21^st century.

Blog 1

Since student learning does not occur for each student the same way at the same time it is important for teachers to use a variety of instructional strategies.  Teachers must be aware of ways or strategies needed to meet the learning goals of their students.  Each strategy has its pros and cons or areas of effectiveness and ineffectiveness; where one fails the other succeeds.  Therefore, it is imperative for the teacher to be aware and able to implement different strategies (whether teacher-centered or student-centered; including presentation, demonstration, drill-and-practice, tutorial, discussion, cooperative learning, games, simulation, discovery, and problem-solving.
Each technology is likely to play a different role in students' learning and implementing the different strategies. Teachers need to think about what kind of technologies are being used in the classroom and for what purposes. Two general distinctions can be made. Students can learn "from" computers—where technology is used essentially as tutors (Integrated learning systems, computer software, media centers) and serves to increase students basic skills and knowledge (drill-and-practice game like online experiences); and can learn "with" computers—where technology is used a tool that can be applied to a variety of goals in the learning process and can serve as a resource to help develop higher order thinking, creativity and research skills (Internet research, blogs, google earth).
Technology is plays a vital role in the fabric of society from controlling traffic lights, communication, record keeping, surveillance, science investigations, to the smallest of gadgets such as ipods and the like.  Every where we look, technology is helping to enhance our lives, in some way.  The classroom is not impervious to the effect and appearance of technology, as matter of fact it has been, for the most part, a huge improvement to how learning occurs.  Teachers are able to take students on virtual tours, video conference with children across the world, access information for research previously unavailable or difficult to acquire, and much more.  The possibilities are limitless.  Teachers can not remain stagnant in their learning and implementation of strategies or the use of technologies to enhance these strategies.  They must become willing and able participants in this growing process and expose themselves to every opportunity to grow, technologically.  Our students are not ignoring technology in their daily lives (Face book, Twitter, other online social networks, Instant messaging, texting, etc.)  We as teachers must be able to use technology to give students greater access to learning, while incorporating and enhancing necessary strategies.
http://www.techlearning.com/article/2022

My tech video