Visual Literacy and Critical Thinking
From LiteracyTentWiki
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2228] Re: What do we mean bystudentinvolvement and critical thinking?
From: Louise Wiener lwiener at llfinc.org
Date: Wed Jul 9 13:20:11 EDT 2008
Hello All,
I have been following the language development / critical thinking
discussion with interest. Learning and Leadership in Families, the
non-profit I lead in Washington, DC, uses visual literacy - i.e. learning
through looking - to encourage both language development and critical
thinking. We teach critical thinking through exercises that gather
information through careful observation and encourage critical thinking by
comparing and contrasting what the adult already knows with the information
gathered from visual clues.
LLF teaches how to use visual vocabulary (line, shape, color, texture, etc)
to explore familiar environments and/or to decode unfamiliar environments.
This can be done with dress / costume, with buildings or with other objects
that encourage discussion about cultures and their similarities and
differences. The process of building on what people already know and
underpinning their knowledge with a structure that encourages critical
thinking and deductive reasoning results in language development.
What is most interesting in an ELL context is that the visual vocabulary
provides a structure that cuts across cultures, but different cultures
interpret different visual elements differently. For example, the meaning
of different kinds of lines is universal. The meaning of different colors
and patterns varies from culture to culture - but is present as an
identifier across cultures. Makes for interesting conversations.
Louise Wiener -- Louise W. Wiener, Executive Director Learning and Leadership in Families
email: lwiener at LLFinc.org web: www.LLFinc.org
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2236] Re: What do we mean bystudentinvolvement and critical thinking?
From: Steve Kaufmann steve at thelinguist.com
Date: Wed Jul 9 14:53:20 EDT 2008
I have to admit that I simply do not understand the following post. Just
what is it that LLF teaches? How to think? English? How to be a leader in
your family?
Steve
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2235] Re: What do we mean bystudentinvolvement and critical thinking?
From: Holly Dilatush holly at dilatush.com
Date: Wed Jul 9 16:38:16 EDT 2008
Very interesting post, Louise; thanks!
Just a quick comment -- your ideas about LLF remind me of the principles of
universal design, which seems to be creeping into more and more discussions,
philosophies, applications...
This has been one of my favorite discussions ever on the listserv -- lots of
voices chiming in! Keep the ideas coming, please.
I'm hoping to add a more substantive post before the discussion 'closes' --
holly
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2238] Re: What do we mean bystudentinvolvement and critical thinking?
From: Louise Wiener lwiener at llfinc.org
Date: Wed Jul 9 17:25:28 EDT 2008
Very much so. LLF uses art, architecture and design because the process
builds basic learning skills while pulling on people¹s creativity,
knowledge, and pride. It is truly a strength based approach.
Design based approaches are more typically applied to gifted and talented
programs than to adult ed. I think there¹s lots of mileage top be made in
adult ed by using design as a medium for recognizing and building on
strengths. Louise
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2239] Re: What do we mean bystudentinvolvement and critical thinking?
From: Louise Wiener lwiener at llfinc.org
Date: Wed Jul 9 23:00:32 EDT 2008
Hi Steve,
LLF teaches teachers another strategy (visual literacy) for engaging adult
learners in achieving literacy and math proficiency. LLF designs classroom
experiential education and enrichment materials and provides professional
development services around those materials. It is not the goals but the
method which is a little different.
You are quite right, we backed into adult education around parent
involvement and family leadership issues. What we learned was that, logic
notwithstanding, connecting adult and early childhood outcomes is still a
stretch. However, visual literacy, in and of itself, appears to be a useful
tool for engaging adults in strengthening their basic skills particularly
observation, critical thinking, and communications skills. The work has
shown promise in strengthening self-expression through speaking and writing,
and improved confidence in math ( understanding geometry and measurement)
and social studies, particularly graphing and mapping outcomes.
Hope that helps - Louise
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2240] Re: What do we mean bystudentinvolvement and critical thinking?
From: Steve Kaufmann steve at thelinguist.com
Date: Wed Jul 9 23:47:09 EDT 2008
Thank you Louise,
Whatever works is good!!
