Visual Information Literacy: Aligning Outcomes and Teaching Strategies Benjamin R. Harris May 2012

How were images a component in one (or more) of your spring semester classes?

Information Literacy Visual Literacy

Trinity’s Information Literacy Goals Understand Access Evaluate Use Ethically Create

Visual Literacy Competencies Maria D. Avgerinou (2001) and the International Visual Literacy Association See also: ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education (2011) ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education

Visual Literacy Competencies Knowledge of Visual Vocabulary Knowledge of Visual Conventions Visual Thinking Visualization Verbo-Visual Reasoning Critical Viewing Visual Discrimination Visual Reconstruction Sensitivity to Visual Association Reconstructing Meaning Constructing Meaning

Visual Literacy Competencies Knowledge of Visual Conventions Visual Thinking Critical Viewing

Aligning Outcomes Visual Literacy Knowledge of Visual Conventions Students will be able to “recognize visual signs and symbols and their socially agreed meaning.” Trinity’s IL Goals Understand & Access Students will 1) recognize when information is required and 2) will develop or deploy strategies to access the information.

Analyze an Image for Visual Conventions In groups of three, make a list of all of the things you see in the image provided. How are the items in your list “symbolic” and does this symbolism effect your analysis? Based on your analysis, can you conduct additional research to enhance your understanding of the image?

Adelman, Bob. March on Washington D.C Magnum Photos. ARTstor. Web. 12 May 2010.

Aligning Outcomes Visual Literacy Critical Viewing Students will be able to “apply critical thinking skills to visuals.” Trinity’s IL Goals Evaluate Students recognize “the cultural, physical or other context within which the information was created and understand the impact of context on interpreting the information.” (ACRL Standards)

Considering Context Step One In groups of three, determine what information will be needed to help you understand the narrative and the context of the narrative portrayed in the image provided.

Wright, Joseph (of Derby). Experiment on a Bird in the Air- Pump National Gallery, London. ARTstor. Web. 2 June 2010.

Aligning Outcomes Visual Literacy Critical Viewing Students will be able to “apply critical thinking skills to visuals.” Trinity’s IL Goal Use Ethically Students will “understand the concept of intellectual property and the economic, legal, and social contexts of information” in order to use information ethically.

Maloy, Simon. “CNN.com Posted Misleading Graph Showing Poll Results on Shaivo Case.” Media Matters for America. 22 Mar Web. 2 Apr. 2005

Aligning Outcomes Visual Literacy Visual Thinking Students will be able to “turn information of all types into pictures, graphics, or forms that help communicate the information.” Trinity’s IL Goal Create Students will 1) choose the best communication medium; 2) use a range of technology to create a product; 3) incorporate principles of design; 4) communicate information in a style that supports the purposes and intentions of and intended audience. (ACRL Standards)

Create Visual Displays of Information 1.Collect/receive quantitative data. 2.Determine appropriate visual apparatus to display data. 3.Determine the conventions of the visual apparatus. 4.Select an appropriate technology to create/present the visual display. 5.Create a visual display of the quantitative information.

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