It’s no surprise that most programs that promote communication in the disciplines focus on writing and speaking. They’re the modes we most often think of when hear the word “communication.” So why was visual communication added as a focus of the CxC program. Consider this explanation.
Think about it. While some might argue that recorded speech is more like 150 years old and art is one of the oldest means of communication, what Gunther Kress is pointing to here is the myriad of other forms of communication made possible by the digital revolution.We can now write in many different ways—by hand, by type, by computer, by texting, by technology that turns speech into written form.We speak face to face, over the phone, by skype, through video recordings.But we are also able to create and use visuals in many new and creative ways.The challenge these days is often what is the best way to convey a message? Often these days, visual communication is becoming a popular mode of communication.
So what do we mean by visual communication?In its essence, writing is visual...wordspunctuationtypographyFormatConventions we think of when we consider document design-For example, let’s consider for a moment the importance of punctuation, a kind of visual symbol we often take for granted, font and colorPamela, would you read this letter aloud please?
Document design-And let’s consider for a moment the importance of punctuation, a kind of visual symbol we often take for granted, font and color(Have two different participants read each letter.)
Lydia, please read this one.
So we see that something as simple as color, font, punctuation can change the way we interpret a written text.Digital technology has vastly increased our abilities visually communicate through imagery, infogrpahics, movementimageryinfographicsmovement…that communicate ideas or knowledge
Visual communication might be a detailed sketch?
A planning map might be a visual of your ideas?
What does visual communication look like in your applied field?COMMON VISUAL PROJECTSmodelsdiagramsmapsposterswebsitestechnical drawingsgraphical presentationsvisualizationsanimationsvideosBrochuresNote that many of these visual representations are multimodal, combining vi
Take a minute to study this visual of visuals. Note the meaning of color and symbols. What kinds of critical thinking are required to interpret visuals?What visual literacy skills do students in your discipline need and where how and when do you teach them?http://www.visual-literacy.org/periodic_table/periodic_table.html
VISUAL COMMUNICATION IS – plannedpurposeful relationalaudience-specificPlan communication before choosing visualsConsider the relationship between text/speech and visuals (true visual communication is NOT “secondary”)EFFECTIVE VISUALS SERVE TO – simplify clarifyEmphasize…the knowledge & information you are trying to convey
Unfortunately, as lecturers, we use way to many of these types of slides. (this is a real lecture slide one of our students brought us!) If we’re going to go through the trouble of typing out notes for students, why not just upload them as a word doc to Moodle and instead, use our lecture time to present the material as more of a discussion using a good visual…
In mere minutes – searching the internet or using your textbook’s digital resources – you can find an image that will clarify and make the process easier to follow, showing how gastric fluids react in the stomachSo remember that you have several resources at your disposal to transform how you visually communicate your course content.Might use animations, photos, diagrams, etc.*Remember to cite sources and label your presentations “for educational use only” if posting to Moodle
Using visuals to learn content“sketch to learn” (like writing to learn) – diagram notes, sketch images to convey thoughts/explain conceptsPin boards – could be notebooks or kept electronically. Collection of images that explain content/concepts (Pintrest)Have students critique something that is visually specific to your course. This might be reviewing a documentary, visualization, presentation, art, diagrams, etc.