Week 6: Visual Literacy

This week we continued our discussion on Visual Literacy. We finished our Photoshop tutorial that would allow us to finish our Visual Literacy Project. This tutorial was extremely helpful and high lighted tools such as: magic eraser, lasso tool, and free transform. I enjoyed learning how to use Photoshop, not only for use in my future career, but also for my personal use. It is truly amazing all the possibilities available.

This is the Visual Literacy Project I presented:

The original image was the picture of the burger.

In my opinion, Visual literacy is an important concept in relation to the teaching profession. Students respond well to visual aid. Using what I now know, I can create visual aid in the classroom that can enhance any subject area. I could use pictures to further reading comprehension, as well as to explain math formulas and theorems. Being able to adapt to this ever changing technology is an important quality in future teachers, such as myself.

This website gives a great description of what visual literacy is and how it relates to teaching. It claims that visual literacy can help students learn to read and write and enjoy doing so. Visual texts can help students organize and understand the material better - which is important throughout all of a person's life.

Week 5: Media and Information Literacy

This week we discussed media and information literacy. We viewed a commercial from Dove that demonstrated how easy it is to edit any unwanted features by simply using Photoshop. In class, we began our Photoshop tutorial. For the Visual literacy project, we will be using various techniques to create an image using Photoshop. It seems as though the possibilities with Photoshop are endless.We also discussed the importance of being able to recognize legitimate websites and images. It is key in life to be able to recognize something that is real.

The following video demonstrates how Photoshop can be used to alter the appearance of an image, even using a photo of a famous actress:

This video is just one way Photoshop can be used to alter an image. You can also create landscapes, cut and paste, and add text to any image.

Personally, I am interested in the various visual aspects of media and teaching. Just the fact a person's greatest sense is seeing makes a big impact in every facet of life. With my skills in Photo shop I will be able to make visual teaching tools. Elementary children respond strongly to colors and visual activities. Also, it is important for me to recognize that students may come across fake websites and images, and I will need to explain to them the difference between the real thing. Not only will I be able to use these skills in my career, but I will be able to use them for my own personal hobbies. I enjoy photography and the creativity that technology allows.

Creative Commons (Extra Blog Post)

Copyrights and ethics are a serious issue in every field. But luckily with teaching there are less restrictions. Teachers are allowed to use copyrighted books, plays, music, dances, movies, and pictures, because of Fair Use laws. Teaching is one of the realms in which the owners have agreed to let individuals use their work with out permission. However, it is important to be responsible and honest, obeying the limitations that are in place.

This is a video about Creative Commons, which also allows individuals to use copyrighted work without permission.