Do You See What I See? Visual LIteracy in the world around us!

Image taken from http://visuallit.wordpress.com/

All around us we see images that are instantly recognizable. Whether it is the flashing little guy on the street sign telling us when it is safe to cross the street or if it is a slighty different little guy showing us where the nearest restroom is located.  We are constantly bombarded with images that are intended to make us feel happy, or sad, excited or angry. Images that are everyone who sees them are going to think the same thing. We are trained from early on how to read graphs and charts in text books, and other resource materials. We pick up on facial expressions and body language to help us decipher how those around us are feeling. All of these can be thought of as visual texts.

What is Visual Literacy? Visual Literacy is the ability to choose and correctly use these visual texts in order to convey a meaning or intended message. It is often taken for granted how much we rely on visual literacy on a day to day basis. Whether it is reading the symbols on a map, interpreting that green usually means go where as red means stop, or a circle with a red line through it means something is not permitted, everyone recognizes the meaning instantly.  Visual literacy is all around us.  It is used in advertising, education, the workplace, the home.  Everywhere!  Think about it!

Here is a good website to get some more information on Visual Literacy:
K-8 Visual Literacy

Gorman, R., & Eastman, G.. (2010). "I See What You Mean": Using Visuals to Teach Metaphoric Thinking in Reading and Writing. English Journal, 100(1), 92-99. Retrieved September 16, 2010, from Research Library. (Document ID: 2128833121).