Visual Literacy

I believe using various forms of media is important to a student’s learning. As a Social Studies teacher, I can use media so that students can interpret, investigate, and communicate values that are portrayed in an image. I want students to understand that images can be interpreted differently as well as, that images can have different themes, messages and biases. As a teacher, I want to use various types of media inside my classroom because I believe visuals helps students remember what they have learned. I recall learning about WWII in middle school and specifically about the Invasion of Normandy. I enjoyed and recall so much information on our unit about WWII because at the end of the unit we got the chance to see Saving Private Ryan that provided an amazing visual of what occurred in the battle ground. I believe that as a teacher, anytime I can integrate media with the curriculum I am teaching it will increase my future student’s learning engagement. When a student can view and/or listen to media, it can engage all students and help English Language learners, IEP or 504 students, and overall help all students. In today’s society, media is such a big impact on children’s lives that I think that teachers should integrate it within the class. Today, students enjoy creating short video clips, podcasts, music, and use other forms of technology that students can use to illustrate what they have learned and present information. In my placement, my mentor teacher uses this online program called Kahoot. It is an educational game-based program that provides students an opportunity to use technology in their learning process. The students were beyond excited to learn about first, second, and third person narration because it was made into a game. The teacher creates the trivia quiz and students are in pairs with laptops ready to answer. This also great for the teacher because he can assess if students or class still needs further instruction on the material.