Lesson 5 The Power of Images: Visual Literacy

“Imagine you come upon a house painted brown. What color would you say the house was?"
"Why brown, of course."
"But what if I came upon it from the other side, and found it to be white?"
"That would be absurd. Who would paint a house two colors?"
He ignored my question. "You say it's brown, and I say it's white. Who's right?"
"We're both right."
"Non," he said. "We're both wrong. The house isn't brown or white. It's both. You and I only see one side. But that doesn't mean the other side doesn't exist. To not see the whole is to not see the truth.”
― Megan Chance, The Spiritualist

A message to the readers:

          This past week we as a class engaged in reviewing our peer’s blogs. With that said, my blogs may look a little different; probably more condensed as I try to use the feedback that way given to me by peers to create a better blog for you, the readers. Some of the things I will be working on are as follows: overall visual presentation, grammatical issues, and mostly importantly, focusing on the direct questions given by Dr. Goldberg for our blogs. A special thank you, to my two class mates who have given me great feedback! 

The School Board's Policy on Electronic Media: An Overview

The guidelines for this school in the use of electronic media, include but are not limited to the following: Internet, e-mail, and other District technological resources. This is also related to the issues of privacy versus administrative review of electronic files and communications. Also, the guidelines prohibit utilization of networks for prohibited or illegal activities, embedded messages, or damaging or destroying programs or data. Students are provided with instruction of appropriate online behavior, interacting with other individuals on social networking in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness. 

District-owned devices with Internet access or personal devices, 

allowed by the District’s network must follow the following guidelines:

    Controlling access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web;

 Safety and security of minors when they are using electronic mail, 

chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications;

Preventing unauthorized access, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities by minors online;

Unauthorized disclosure, use of dissemination of personal information regarding minors;

 Restricting minors’ access to materials harmful to them.

Networking, communication and other options regarding instructional benefits may be used for the purpose of supplementing classroom instruction, and to promote communication with students and parents concerning school-related activities. Employees and students who are caught using electronic media inappropriately or unlawfully are subject to termination, or expulsion. This is at the discrepancy of the Superintendent, School Board, and Principal/s. Any action found harmful or inappropriate will be reported to the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB).

The guidelines and rules are pretty straight forward. Discrepancy is at the disposal of the Principal and Superintendent. Teachers are to be engaged with their students and to encourage appropriate. The guidelines do explain that teachers are allowed to create their own WebPages as long as they meet the guidelines within the policy. Also, electronic media is encouraged through the use of media; however, the policy encourages that personal email is acceptable but should be limited. Also, administrators and teachers have collaborated to block internet sites they deem inappropriate. Secondly, teachers and administrators are encouraging students and parents to collaborate through programs such as infinite campus so students are more inactive in their school works and are up to date on their grades.

 Discussion Questions for Blog 5

What did you learn that was totally new to you?

Movies are often frowned upon and overlooked as an educational tool because they are perceived as a way of getting out of work or move of a recreational component than an educational tool. However, we have learned from the short film that they can be a very powerful tool. The filmmaker argued that films can shape the mind and express emotions. They are learning experiences that the eye trains the heart to see. They can and should be taken seriously.

            One particular point he made really had an effective meaning for me. He said that movies tell a story through a lens, the views then focus their eyes to interpret what is being captured through the lens. I found myself relating this to students as learners. Every child sees learning in a unique way. Essentially, when they learning they are looking through a lens. They focus their eyes on what they feel and in turn create an emotion to learning. Or they focus on what they see, that makes them feel and that create the emotion to learn. I honestly believe that learning is filled through emotions; happiness, sadness, anxiousness, anxiety, self-doubt. Films and movies are create to target audiences and stirred emotions in theirs viewers to feel. Teachers teach to reach their audiences as well. Children, probably don’t realize it, but teachers are creating an emotion inside them to learning. 

            Now, more than ever, visual literacy is a normal human learning activity. We learned a couple weeks ago about Bloom’s Digital Taxonomy. It is a perfect example of visual literacy. Visual actions, objects, symbols, natural or man-made are evidence for visual literacy. Imagery is a very powerful tool for learning because it makes students feel or relate; through that creativity, they learn how it's significant. Students can engage in “ability to evaluate, apply, or create conceptual visual representations. Whether it’s assignment or enforce in the classroom, visual literacy is being exercised.

How can you use this information to inform your instructional strategies with your own students?

One of the wiki’s I found interesting and could easily be put into curriculum was George Washington: A Portrait for Kids. This visual tool goes through the history of our first president, George Washington. Through digital interactions, kids search to find hidden objects in the portrait of George Washington, using the clues given to them. When they find the object being described by the clue, it then tells them how that object is related President Washington, society during his time, or related to history in general. For example, one clue uncovers a chair in George Washington’s portrait. On the back of the chair is a shield, which has 13 red and white bans, like the shield in the Great Seal of the United States.

Technology Exploration

Prezi

Spicynodes

Edmodo

A Math's Dictionary for Kids

Glogster

Jing

YouTube/Education

School Tube

Teacher Tube 

1.	Describe what you learned from exploring this resource.  Prezi
	I love Prezi and will definitely becoming more engaged with learning how to use this technological exploration. Prezi is built around motion, collaboration, meaningfulness, and personalization. Prezi is similar to Microsoft Power Point but there are so many more cool features and tricks to this digital tool. It created Power Points that are innovative and digital. There are numerous layout options and tricks and tools to add to text boxes and pictures, along with sounds and animations.
2.	How could you use this resource in a school setting?  It does not matter if it is in your field or level, you need to understand how the resource might be used in educational settings.
	Unlike Microsoft Power Point, Prezi must have access to the internet in order to create. Prezi could be used in the classroom for group work or individual use. It can be incorporated into every subject. Students at the 3 grade level and above could create their own. Teacher at the preschool, kindergarten, and first grade level could use the programs to teach. The possibilities are truly endless. I’ve seen this program used and it’s truly entertaining and very fun!
3.	Would you recommend this resource to other educators? Like/Dislike; Ease of use, fee or not, and so forth.  Why or Why not?
	Prezi offers and educational package for students and teachers. The basic package is free; however, the Edu Pro Prezi is $4.92 a month or $59.00 annually. I think this is a great alternative to traditional Microsoft Power Point, commonly used.

1.	Describe what you learned from exploring this resource.  Spicynodes
	Spicynodes was an educational tool have not encountered. It is a form of concept mapping, referred to by themselves as “radical trees.” It’s a very creative concept that is similar to Prezis but rather than power point layout, this layout is created to look like a web or map.
2.	How could you use this resource in a school setting?  It does not matter if it is in your field or level, you need to understand how the resource might be used in educational settings.
	Spicynodes is similar to the concept maps we have been exploring in our class; however, not as detailed at the drawings and illustrations. These are very interactive and could be used to show students relationships and correlations. This is a digital alternative to concept mapping.
3.	Would you recommend this resource to other educators? Like/Dislike; Ease of use, fee or not, and so forth.  Why or Why not?
	I would think students in 3rd grade and above could benefit from Spicynodes. Students can create their own or the teacher could provide them as a lesson.

1.	Describe what you learned from exploring this resource.  Edmodo
	Edmodo creates short text messages to a group or people. It is built with teachers for teachers. It is a way to collaborate on assignments, discover new resources, and other collaborative interactions. It’s simply creating a digital classroom. The teacher can create groups, assign homework, schedule quizzes, and manage progress. It can be used privately and teacher can actively monitor member activity.
2.	How could you use this resource in a school setting?  It does not matter if it is in your field or level, you need to understand how the resource might be used in educational settings.
	Edmodo is a way to create interaction and connectivity. This can create a paperless classroom for both teacher and student. It also helps promote digital citizenship skills. Edmodo is compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows.
3.	Would you recommend this resource to other educators? Like/Dislike; Ease of use, fee or not, and so forth.  Why or Why not?
	The tool, I would argue, is more geared towards allowing teachers to engage professionally in a learning network. Teachers can work within their common core guidelines to create groups, assign homework, schedule quizzes, and manage student progress.

1.	Describe what you learned from exploring this resource.  A Math's Dictionary for Kids
	I liked this website because it was short and sweet. It is exactly what it says, a dictionary.  It has definitions, math charts, apps, and over 200 printable math charts and posters for home and school.
2.	How could you use this resource in a school setting?  It does not matter if it is in your field or level, you need to understand how the resource might be used in educational settings.
	This site contains definitions and examples for the following: numbers, fractions, decimals, percents and percentages, ratio and rates, beginning algebra, data and statistics, probability, geometry, measurements, time and money. These are all alphabetically organized.
3.	Would you recommend this resource to other educators? Like/Dislike; Ease of use, fee or not, and so forth.  Why or Why not?
	I would encourage teachers to use this resource because it has the following educational tools available and it’s free: interactive whiteboards, classroom displays, math walls, display boards,  student handouts, homework help, concept introductions, consolidation, etc.

1.	Describe what you learned from exploring this resource.  Glogster
	Glogster is essentially a presentation and/or video template.  Glogster is short, is a massive canvas that lets the mind create a poster in the form of presentation. On this canvas, you can add video inserts, multiple pictures, mix texts and textures, add images and graphics or chose from pre-designed graphics. You can create wallpapers, images, audio, text and color, linked and upload videos, zoom effect and use clipart and text art.
2.	How could you use this resource in a school setting?  It does not matter if it is in your field or level, you need to understand how the resource might be used in educational settings.
	This tool could be used in any subject to present a presentation as a group or individually. History comes to my mind. Give students a person to do a report on and this program would be a great tool. While, exploring I saw an excellent canvas on Rosa Parks. The student has really put in some effort. It was essentially a bibliography on her.
3.	Would you recommend this resource to other educators? Like/Dislike; Ease of use, fee or not, and so forth.  Why or Why not?
	It’s safe to say I would recommend this resource to other educators. Glogster is used by 17 million students, 1.9 million teachers, and has over 45 million glogs. It’s also has an app available on an iPad. It’s available to the Elementary level at $39 per year for 30 students and 1 teacher, at the Secondary level for $95 for 1 teacher and 125 students, and at the faculty level to 10 administrators and 250 students/teachers.

1.	Describe what you learned from exploring this resource.  Jing
	Jing instantly captures images and videos then shares them. You can add visual elements to all of your online conversations. Essentially you capture what you see, record what you do, and then share!
2.	How could you use this resource in a school setting?  It does not matter if it is in your field or level, you need to understand how the resource might be used in educational settings.
	For this educational tool, on exercise that comes to mind are having kids create what they did over their summer break and share it during the summer to other potential classmates or share it when they begin school in August. This could also be said about winter break, and spring break.
3.	Would you recommend this resource to other educators? Like/Dislike; Ease of use, fee or not, and so forth.  Why or Why not?
	The basic package for Jing is free. I think this is a good tool that is accessible to most every child with a cell phone. Kids literally can’t go anywhere or do anything with their phones so engaging in the exercise I mentioned above is also a good way for teachers to get to know their students.

1.	Describe what you learned from exploring this resource.  YouTube/Education, School Tube, Teacher Tube
	I have combine YouTube/Education, School Tube, and Teacher Tube because they all are video in the form of education. As for Youtube Education, it is broken down into primary and secondary channels that are geared towards students in subject matters such as math, reading, science, etc. These videos can be posted by students and students can create playlist of their favorite videos as well. School Tube has a similar approach. Teachers and students have upload videos to show what they are learning in the classroom and to help other students and teachers who are apart on School Tube. School Tube is under the Children’ Online Privacy Protection Act, 1998 and verification by parental consent is required for kids under 13.  I found Teacher Tube the most interesting of all because of all the resources available online to teachers. Teacher can create accounts set up for their classroom that their students and parents can view. There are no advertisements and it is also compatible with mobile devices, so transferring and viewing is easy. Teachers can upload audios, documents, photos, and create collections on their “tube.”The focus on Teacher Tube is to “flip” your classroom with new ideas. One a side note, one positive thing for teacher is that there is also a blog available so that teachers can explore and continue their learning as well.
2.	How could you use this resource in a school setting?  It does not matter if it is in your field or level, you need to understand how the resource might be used in educational settings.
	All of these websites are great tools if used appropriately in the classroom. Each website has millions of videos to view and use in the classroom and some overlap on all three of the sites. One collection of videos I found interesting was a segment on Grammar: “3 Coomon Word Endings,” “Causative Verbs:make, have, let, get, help,” and “Subjective-Verb Agreement,” and these are just to name a few. The videos are great for teachers who need a refresher before they begin their teaching on grammar. Also, because these videos are available on the web, parents and their children can view them whenever they need to.
3.	Would you recommend this resource to other educators? Like/Dislike; Ease of use, fee or not, and so forth.  Why or Why not?
	Again, I would recommend these resources to other educators; however, I wold encourage them to view the source before allowing their students to. This is so the video is appropriate and the material is educational.