Images for Learning

When people think about school, they think about sitting behind a desk, and listening to a teacher talk at them, or writing down information from the board, or reading through large sums of text. Certainly when I think about my time at school, I remember the most common way to learn was through text. HOW BORING!

Although I do understand that text has its place and is sometimes the most appropriate way to deliver learning. The utilisaion of media in learning has the potential to create high quality learning experiences for students. In particular using images for learning can provide learning experiences that cannot be repliacted via learning soley through text. 

Images hold a lot of information. They can be used to communicate (e.g. emogis), represent ideas, provide evidence, and tell stories. Sometimes it is more appropriate to use images instead of text. For example: using graphs to present data, may provide the audience with a visulation that is easier to understand. Look at the two images below. The table uses text to display the information. Whereas, the graph gives a visual representation of the same information. 

 

Images not only show what is in the picture. They have the power to ignite the curiosity and interest of its audience. Think of paintings in art galleries. For some, a painting may just be that, a painitng, but for others they can see a story. Individuals can all look at the same painting, but the interpretations of it can be different for each person. Look at this painting by Yves Klein, called Blue Monochrome. It is literally just a blank canvas painted blue, but for the artist and many other art enthuisets, it is much more. 

Blue Monochrome, Yves Klein, 1961

There are countless ways Images can be used in modern day pedagogy. Traditionally, when students would go on excusions they would just bring a notebook and pen to take notes. With the rise of technology, phones and digital cameras can be used to take photos during the excursion. These photos can be used so students can analyse later, or add notes that are related to the image. Students can use the photographs they capture as evidence in their work. This would be an example of primary, local evidence, as students do not need to use images from other sources. 

As well as capturing photos and analysing images of others, using the SAMR model teachers can create learning activites that require students to demonstrate their understanding or perspectives through the use of images. For example, teachers can give students research topics that require them to gather information and create poster/advert which represents their findings. 

Example Activity: 

Topic: Rhino Extinction 

Students: - use learning devices to research this topic. 

                  - use their findings to create an A4 poster.  

Example of A4 Poster

Teaches may choose to make it an individual or group task. Teachers may instruct students to publish their posters online (via a Blog website), so their peers can learn or provide feedback on their work. Moreover, posting student work to online platforms, increases the oppurtunity for engagement from the wider community, as well as, experts in the specififc field (privacy settings control who can access published content).  

Images can be used in the classroom to create critical thinkers. The SEE, THINK, WONDER strategy combines images with scafolded questions which help students make careful and indepth observations. Teachers should encourage students to use this strategy to provide meaningful evaluation and feedback to their peers.



It is important that students understand the legal and safe use of images. This is especially important when students are using images from other sources. Teachers should ensure to practice the legal and safe use of images throughout their teaching. This video provides an explanation of how to legally and safely use images. 

Teachers can use Images to transform student learning experiences. Moreover, the way teachers use Images in learning can help students evolve into 21st century learners.