Nov 2 2011: Quote: "The education system is snub-nosed and arrogant, out-dated and slow to recognize incoming trends, and they are failing us. More concerned with their unions and political prioritization than the actual quality of the education they are giving our children...Their lack of receptiveness makes me sad, and it makes me sick."
As an educator, I simply do not recognise this grossly inaccurate caricature you are painting here (if I may use a relevant metaphor!). If you are really interested in winning over others to the benefits of visuals (as I, again as a educator, most definitely am), then let me suggest that this overly generalised slandering of those involved in education is not the most effective way of doing this. Recognise the (already widespread) good practice; gracefully and passionately critique the less effective practice, and build from there.
Nov 2 2011: I tend to agree with your point, Kenneth. The emphasis should be on how we equip our students to make the most of the visual learning. In my experience, while they can benefit from it in the classroom setting (I used it extensively, and I make explicit references to how and why I am using it), the bigger struggle comes in getting the students to use it of their own accord. They are so wedded to the more traditional note making that they seem very loathe to choose any other strategy.
Have you any thoughts as to how we might win students over?!?
Nov 2 2011: Well said, Fritzie. I think we need to be very careful about not over-generalising on this thread. There is a lot of good education going on that makes extensive use of the visual.
Oct 31 2011: Please don't generalise so!! In my classroom (Geography and Critical Thinking) in the UK, I actively promote the use of visualisation as a fundamental means to promote the learning of content and the development of higher level cognitive skills of pattern spotting, problem solving and making connections between diverse elements!!
Oct 31 2011: Sunni, you say below: 'The behavior pattern seems to be that when individuals are seen using visual language (doodling, sketching or drawing), they're either made fun of, asked to focus on the topic at hand, chastised or scolded publicly, or even punished. It borders on lunacy, quite frankly, and it happens all the time.'
Let me give another perspective from the UK. I am a teacher and teach senior high students. I make extensive use of the kinds of visualisations you promote. I am not only a firm believer in them myself, but I actively encourage my students to make use of them too.
But here's my challenge: the students themselves. Many (not all) are so wedded to the more conventional note making approach that I find it a constant challenge to win them over to using this kind of approach too.
Have you any tips on how I might more easily win the students over to the benefits of visualisations? I make it with a significant number of them, but it can take some time. And with some others, we never really get there!!
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A reply on Conversation: Why is visual literacy discouraged in most cultures & WHAT CAN WE DO to change that?
As an educator, I simply do not recognise this grossly inaccurate caricature you are painting here (if I may use a relevant metaphor!). If you are really interested in winning over others to the benefits of visuals (as I, again as a educator, most definitely am), then let me suggest that this overly generalised slandering of those involved in education is not the most effective way of doing this. Recognise the (already widespread) good practice; gracefully and passionately critique the less effective practice, and build from there.
A reply on Conversation: Why is visual literacy discouraged in most cultures & WHAT CAN WE DO to change that?
Have you any thoughts as to how we might win students over?!?
A reply on Conversation: Why is visual literacy discouraged in most cultures & WHAT CAN WE DO to change that?
A reply on Conversation: Why is visual literacy discouraged in most cultures & WHAT CAN WE DO to change that?
A reply on Conversation: Why is visual literacy discouraged in most cultures & WHAT CAN WE DO to change that?
A comment on Conversation: Why is visual literacy discouraged in most cultures & WHAT CAN WE DO to change that?
Let me give another perspective from the UK. I am a teacher and teach senior high students. I make extensive use of the kinds of visualisations you promote. I am not only a firm believer in them myself, but I actively encourage my students to make use of them too.
But here's my challenge: the students themselves. Many (not all) are so wedded to the more conventional note making approach that I find it a constant challenge to win them over to using this kind of approach too.
Have you any tips on how I might more easily win the students over to the benefits of visualisations? I make it with a significant number of them, but it can take some time. And with some others, we never really get there!!