Visual Literacy and the Internet

The internet is a loud, colorful, vivid and exciting visual tool for learning.  As any Google user can verify, the internet can also be a confusing muddled source of misinformation and troubling facts.  For teachers, the internet can be a wonderful teaching tool or a digital minefield.  The truth is that the internet is not longer an optional teaching tool nor is it a passing fad.  If nothing else, students need to learn to use the internet wisely.

 Using Visuals

Students have multiple intelligences when it comes to learning.  Visual learners learn best when the information is presented using photographs, illustrations, graphics or other visual media. At my school, one of the first ways we were taught to engage those visual learners was through picture word walls.  Nearly every word on the word wall also contains an image that suggests the word's meaning.  The pictures have the added benefit of creating a visually stimulating environment.  

Visuals can also be used to engage the students' imagination.  In our writers workshop, students use visuals to stimulate a variety of free writing activities including short stories, news articles, and vivid descriptions.  One place that visuals are absolutely essential is in science.  In science, students are asked to study many subjects that could not possibly be brought into the classroom.  Visuals including animation and video allow teachers to bring the world to their students.

The Internet

Teachers want to prepare students for their futures.  The problem is that the future is changing so rapidly it is nearly impossible to predict the skills and knowledge that they will need.  The internet allows teachers to help students become self guided learners.  I want my students to learn how to learn.  Students need to learn digital citizenship, research skills, and the ability to communicate their thoughts to a variety of audiences.  In my classroom, the internet gives me the ability of differentiate learning to meet the needs of my students.  I know longer have a single text book with which to reach 32 different minds.  I can now find the resources and tools needed to meet students on their level and help them to grow.

Instructional Strategies in the 21st Century

Anyone who has taught a classroom of students quickly realizes one very basic fact.  All students are not the same.  Student approach learning in a variety of ways.  They have varying interests, attention spans, and learning styles.  Because of this, teachers need to be prepared to use a variety of instructional strategies in the classroom.  View the video below for more information about Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences.

A New Kind of Learner

21st century students are not content to sit as sponges and absorb information from the teacher.  Students as young as kindergarten are used to gaining knowledge for themselves through exploration, discussion, problem solving, and yes, even through technology.  

By utilizing a variety of instructional strategies, teachers can reach all of the students in the classroom.  Technology allows teachers to differentiate the instruction to meet the needs of many types of learners at once.  Technology can be utilized to improve teaching no matter the instructor's personal educational philosophy.  Lectures can be improved with Powerpoints and videos.  Demonstrations become more easily viewed when witnessed through a document camera or projector.  Even practice and drill can become a fun part of the day when computer games are the method rather than flashcards.  

Technology itself it extremely adaptable; which makes it the perfect tool for adaptable teaching.  Technology allows teaching to become more student centered rather than teacher centered.  The most important piece of developing this differentiated classroom is having a team of teachers.  This style of teaching cannot be done alone as the planning requires more preparation.  Teams of teachers sharing ideas will be more effective in reaching every one of our 21st century learners.