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)

Visual Literacy Competencies

Knowledge of Visual VocabularyKnowledge of Visual Conventions

Visual ThinkingVisualization

Verbo-Visual ReasoningCritical Viewing

Visual DiscriminationVisual Reconstruction

Sensitivity to Visual AssociationReconstructing MeaningConstructing 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. 1963. 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. 1768. 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. 2005. 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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