What is visual literacy?

Visual literacy is the reading and writing of visual texts..

Symbols, maps, graphs, illustrations, models, graphics, photos, diagrams, icons, signs, film video

SourceS: Ellerman, Unit 1.http://k-8visual.info/

Before and After Visual Literacy Basics are applied…

Font ChoiceBefore

CHOOSE A FONT THAT IS PRETTY.USE ALL CAPS TO CAPITVATE YOUR READERFill the page with as much information as you canUNDErline key words and phrasesUse complex bullets and arrows to draw attention to your key pointsChange your font to keep things lively…All fonts are interchangeable…

Font ChoiceAftero Type size for presentations can be comfortably

read by most readers at size 20-36 pt.o Word shape helps a reader comprehend. o Avoid all capitals even for titles.

o Limit your slides to six or less key points. o Use more slides with subtitles if needed.

o Avoid using underline except for URLs and references.

o Clean clear bullets and fonts like the Roman or Arial font types are best for readability.

Color & ContrastBefore•Colors are great for grabbing attention!

▫Bright colors are the best to keep attention!

▫Background colors are cool! Use a different one on each page!

▫Use a lot of exclamation points to make your point!!!

•Using colors in the same or close contrast is is pretty.

Color & ContrastAfterDark text on a light background is easy to read.

Light text on a dark background is also acceptable.

Be certain that the contrast is adequate.

Pictures and ClipArtBefore•Photos are good for nonfiction lessons.•ClipArt has many fun and entertaining

pictures to add to your presentations.▫Always choose a kid friendly

clip art for your slide.▫Ladybugs make everyone smile.

•Animated clip art draws the attentionof the reader to your slide.

Pictures and ClipArtAfter•Photos are good for nonfiction lessons.

Parts of a Plant Bloom

Stem

Leaf

Petals

Pictures and ClipArtAfter• Use clip art meaningfully. Avoid overuse.

▫Water Cycle

• Animated clip art can draw attention away from the main idea of your slide. Use animations meaningfully.▫Precipitation

Entrances & Triggers

•Powerpoint has exciting animations for entrances and exits!

•There are fantastic flashing fonts….▫And brilliant bouncing ones.

•Animations can grab your readers’ attention▫But can it HOLD IT???????

•Triggers can take your students to new places…▫Or old ones….

Are you trigger happy???

Entrances & Triggers• Powerpoint has exciting animations for

entrances and exits!▫Entrances may slow you down.▫Make sure they are timed and work properly.

• There are fantastic flashing fonts….▫And brilliant bouncing ones, which may distract

your learners.• Triggers can take your students to new places…

▫Or old ones….▫Can be used for introductions and reviews. Be

sure you plan your exits from the triggered page or video.

Comic Sans the teacher’s favorite?

•Comic Sans font is often seen in Elementary School classrooms.▫In fact this is the best use for the font.

•Comic Sans is not universally accepted as a professionally perfect font. Avoid its use for memos, letters, or email correspondence.▫It has an air of the childish… which is great

for young children.•Arial is perfectly fine for these other needs.

Let’s review fonts…• Visual literacy is reading

and writing visual texts.• Font choice is important.

▫ Choose appropriate size.▫ Use capitals and

lowercase.• Keep key points to 5 or 6

per page.• Use underlines for URLs.• Clean clear bullets are

best.• Roman and Arial are best

for readability.

• Colors should be carefully chosen.▫ Light font on dark

background.▫ Dark font on light

background.▫ Adequate contrast

between font color and background.

• Save the Comic Sans font for the kids!

Let’s review pictures & clip art…• Photos are good for

nonfiction lessons.

• Animated clipart can draw attention away from your lesson.

• Animations can be used significantly.

• Don’t over use clip art. Use it meaningfully.

Let’s review Entrances & Triggers•Use entrances

carefully. They can distract readers.

•Be sure entrances and triggers work properly… technological difficulty can wreck your lesson.

•Triggers and Hyperlinks can be helpful for introductions and review.

Sources• Unit 1 Module Design Module 1 Definition and

Perspectives on Visual Literacy, EDLS 618 Radford University Presentation, Fall 2009 by Dr. Ellerman

• Unit 3 Module 12 Multimedia , EDLS 618 Radford University Presentation, Fall 2009 by Dr. Ellerman.

• http://k-8visual.info/ Visual Literacy K-8. December 15, 2009.