Visual Literacy How Photoshop can enhance the

English classroom. Camil la Meyers

•  Define Visual Literacy •  Digital v. Physical (computers v. paper) •  Embedding Photoshop into lessons •  Student and teacher exemplars •  Benefits of Photoshop

Defining Visual Literacy

•  A visually literate person is able to: – understand visible objects – create static and dynamic visible objects

effectively in a defined space – comprehend and appreciate the visual

testaments of others – conjure objects in the mind’s eye.

Visual Knowledge defined by ACARA

•  Students understanding how visual information contributes to the meanings created in texts

•  interpreting –  still and moving images –  graphs –  tables –  maps –  and other graphic representations

•  understanding and evaluating how images and language work together to present ideas and information in texts

In the classroom we… –  recognising letters, words and other symbols –  interpreting the meaning of words or other symbols –  interpreting the meaning of pictures/illustrations –  interpreting the meaning of tables or diagrams or

maps or graphs –  discriminate, and make sense of visible objects as

part of a visual acuity –  create static and dynamic visible objects effectively in

a defined space –  comprehend and appreciate the visual testaments of

others

Creating authentic visual documents using Photoshop

Digital v. Physical •  Technology is having an increasing impact

on the nature of learning in the classroom •  Beginning teachers view technology as

intrinsically involved with all aspects of life •  Students need to use technology

seamlessly and be receptive to the changes that will come

Collages •  Students display ideas visually •  Graphic organiser for narrative planning

or reflection – setting – character – Theme – symbolism – mood or tone

Exemplar task – Dracula Using Photoshop, construct a collage of images that represents the setting and characters in Dracula. Your collage should have: –  5-10 images, –  a title and –  vocabulary from the Dracula glossary.

Your image should allow the audience to have an understanding of the tone of the text. Use an A4 setting.

Advertisements •  Allow students to use their real-world

knowledge •  Create persuasive texts through images

Exemplar task – Reverse Stereotypes

Using Photoshop, construct an A4 print advertisement that presents a reverse-stereotype for a known product. An example of a reverse stereotype might be a male selling baby formula, or a Chinese person cooking Mexican food.

Social Media: Instagram •  Allows students to visually story-tell •  Create messages that capture visual

thinking in a way that conceptualises characters in narrative

•  Students develop understanding of author’s context

Exemplar task – Romantic Poetry Using Photoshop and the Instagram template create three posts that would have been posted by a Romantic poet on the list bellow:

–  William Blake –  William Wordsworth –  Samuel Taylor Coleridge –  Percy Byshee Shelley –  Lord Byron (George Gordon) –  John Keats

You may have to do some research on your poet. The three Instagram posts should include a selfie, a picture of nature and inspirational quote. Your text and hashtags should include: information that is biographical, lines from poetry or quotes. Be sure to tag your poet’s location.

Template   Layers   Add  image  

Move  and  resize    

Change  text  

Feature Article •  Students develop persuasive text for a wide audience •  Understand how images relate to text •  Graphically organise ideas

–  headline and byline –  photograph, graphics or illustrations –  text in column format –  BreakOut Box gives factual information

•  technical terms •  explanations •  graphics •  statistic

–  fonts –  colour

Exemplar task – On the Jellicoe Road Write a feature article aiming to persuade the public of your perspective about an issue confronting young adults. Based on Melinda Marchetta’s positioning of the audience and the experiences of her characters, you must develop your piece using one of the following themes:

–  The need for God in a troubled world –  Young people’s relationships with their elders –  The power of music or art to express emotions –  Childhood abuse and neglect –  The search for identity –  Drug abuse –  A desire to belong –  Another topic negotiated with your teacher

Invitations •  Allow students to develop awareness of: – setting

•  time •  place

– character – visual iconography

Exemplar task – Romeo and Juliet After reading Act One, Scene Two of Romeo and Juliet create a written invitation for Capulet’s party. Your invitation must be developed on Photoshop. The invite must include the following information:

–  time –  date –  place –  what to bring/wear –  an image and font that is contextual (sets the scene) –  RSVP and to whom –  who can attend

Your invitation must represent the ideas presented in the text. It can be either traditional or modern.

Benefits of using Photoshop •  Clear understanding and awareness of basic

structure of visual texts •  High quality presentation •  Ease of reflection •  Store and retrieve texts easily •  Promotes collaboration •  Publishing and communicating within the

classroom or worldwide •  Encourages risk-taking and creativity in

writing communication

Contact me

Camil la Meyers S e n i o r E n g l i s h T e a c h e r Riverside Christian College

M a r y b o r o u g h

camilla.meyers@riverside.qld.edu.au http://camillameyers.weebly.com/

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