Visual Literacy Examples

The very first post should be related to Visual Symblos in My Life: Describe how visual symbols affect your life on a daily basis. Make sure to include some visual examples. At the end of the course you will answer the above questions again, and you will reflect on how will an increased knowledge of Visual Literacy help you to create, understand, classify, and appreciate visuals.

While going through everyday life I do notice that certain symbols let me know where something might be located. It is just more common then I thought. For example, most bathrooms will have a typical picture of a stick figure girl or boy and this is how we know where to go to the bathroom. Also when watching a commercial we may recognize the company by their iconic subject. Geico is a great example in my eyes. If I am watching the television and the gecko typically confused with Geico is on the t.v I automatically know that, that commercial is for insurance. Another common figure used to promote insurance is Flo for Progressive. She is very quirky and funny and when I see her in a television ad I know that she is promoting insurance. Because I remember that she is the figure for Progressive and the gecko is for Geico I am already showing examples of how visual symbols affect my life.

never really took the time to think about how many visual symbols I see daily. Think about a hospital or an area where you give blood they almost always have the red cross to symbolize a health center. If you are driving in a car a red light symbolizes that you need to stop. Throughout life if you just take the time to observe you may notice more visuals symbols then you did before.

Can you think of any other visual symbols?

pictures provided by: www.google.com/images

Cheaper ways to buy College books!

image from google.com/images

Hello!

Well I am a fellow college student and I was thinking it would be a good thing to share some of my secrets to cheaper books for college. Every term you have that one teacher that will ask you to buy over one hundred dollars worth of books.While ringing up books my junior year at the bookstore I decided I would find a way to get them cheaper. You have the option to buy your books at your local college bookstore or you can order them online! How about that? Most colleges give you free internet, take advantage of this students! Most of the time all you need is a debit or credit card. Here are some nice sites that most students use.

cheap books

textbooks

amazon.com

half.com

Just a few to get you started! Hope these help you! Also be sure to read the sellers profile. This can help you to determine if the seller is reliable or not when purchasing an item.

Digital Imaging and More

Hello Bloggers!

It has been a while. Since the last time I was on here I have taken Digital Imaging. This was quite the learning experience. It was my first time using a mac. Something I found very fun was making a comic with comiclife. You can download it for free at this site if you own a mac. Just click on the link. comiclife I would have to say the most entertaining assignment I was given was the production of a digital story. We were allowed to pick any subject as long as we told a story. There were many examples given throughout the class. The subject that I choose was bullying. I was able to interview two of my friends. It was very heartwarming and also sad to hear some of the stories that my friends shared with me. I knew that it would hit me hard, but I never expected to cry. I will post my video and some of the videos that were used for examples. Here are also a few things that my instructor gave me that might be of assistance to you. just click on the link and it will take you where you need to go. This is something that can be used in the classroom for lesson plans or just to get to know your students. I would recommend incorporating a digital story at least once in your teaching experience.

Here is an example of a really well done digital story.

92 yr. old tap dancer

and last but not least here is the digital story I was able to create. Enjoy!

Bullying it Happens to Everyone

CCA Expectations

In this class I hope to extend what I was able to learn from my Educational Technology Class. I have heard many good things about this class from other classmates. They told me that picking the Ed. Tech minor helped them to be hired for a job at a high school. This is what interested me. I hope that I can continue to observe new methods.

*Laptops in the library*

Some high schools are beginning to use laptops more often. When I was in high school teachers would send us to the library to research the topic that they had assigned. Some high schools are beginning to use laptops more often. When I was in high school teachers would send us to the library to research the topic that they had assigned. Some schools do not supply laptops. When laptops are not provided the students can still go to the library and use the computers there. Within the library teachers are able to watch the students and be sure they are researching the topic assigned. One con to allowing the students to use laptops is that they may try to go to sites that are blocked by the school.

On the other hand laptops can be a valuable asset to the classroom. They engage students in the lesson. Students come to school ready to learn because they know that they have their own special laptop. "They've created greater interest in research, writing, and projects students work on," he continued. "The laptops lead to a sense of discovery every day, keeping students more focused and on task. (quoted from http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr178.shtml)

If interested in more information click here

*What's an Elmo?, I thought it was a character on Sesame Street*

photo from www.binet.lv/full-featured/

In college classrooms, there is a new item that is being used quite often. Teachers are able to project handouts on a screen so that students are able to read along. By being able to project handouts on the screen students are less distracted. For example, if the students were given paper handouts there would be more temptation to draw on the papers. By using the elmo to project the one handout paper is also saved. There is less paper being thrown away.

The elmo also makes it easier for the teacher to project in front of the classroom. He or she can use the handout or a pointer to make certain key points stand out. About anything can be projected on the screen, unless it is translucent . So a transparency would not work. Some high schools also use these projectors to encourage students to get involved and show their work on the board through elmo.

Want to know more about the elmo projector? click on this link to find out
elmo projector

*Hate Crimes Anyone?*

picture from : treyjackson.typepad.com/.../antisemitism.jpg

On Wednesday February 10, 2010, there was an informative session about offensive humor on UNI's campus. I was able to attend this session.The speaker was Matt Sienkiewicz. It was titled "What's under Kyle's Hat?" The main topic was what's not funny about oppressive humor and how can we change it? This session was to let students know about the hate crimes that were taking place on campus. Why are Jews always inserted into a joke? For example, the speaker mentioned south park and was able to show a few video clips that relate to this topic. For me, the Jew joke was more of a surprise. I do not often watch South Park, because I find the jokes to be vulgar. This is only my opinion though. You never realize things like this are taking place until you are the possible victim. No campus should have this taking place. As students and some of us as future teachers and mentors we are to be an example to the rest of campus. If he speaks again about anti-semitism and the Jew joke in Multicultural America I strongly recommend going.

In the classroom, it is possible that there will be a variety of different students. By informing teachers and educators of this possibility it increases their thought process as far as teaching goes. Also if the students are made aware there is less of a chance that this may be a problem. When hate comments about religion or any other topic are brought up it can be a difficult subject. If the students are made aware that this kind of behavior is unacceptable, maybe they will think a little more before making the decision to say hurtful words.

UNI supports diversity and multiculturalism. Here is link with more information
UNI: Diversity matters