Big Huge Labs Using Visual Literacy to Extend Learning Calgary Regional Learning Consortium presents

Calgary Regional Consortium Elizabeth Cressman Tech Back-up CRC Brenda Dyck Session Facilitator CRC

• A Web 2.0 mashup tool that supports deep thinking andhelps to sharpen students' visual literacy skills.

• http://bighugelabs.com

• M ashups combine similar types of media and information from multiple sources into a new creation (repurposing)

• Educational Tool?

• NOTE TO SELF

• No tool is an educational tool until its used in a meaningful way to mediate learning

• Visual Communication is a process of sending and receiving messages using images. Visual literacy can be defined as the ability to construct meaning from visual images. (Giorgis, Johnson, Bonomo, Colbert, & al, 1999: 146)

• To make meaning from images, the reader uses the critical skills of exploration, critique, and reflection. ~ The Visual Literacy White Paper, Dr. Anne Bamford, Art and Design University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

Making the cognitive jump from using the tool... ... to using the tool to promote inquiry and deep thinking. to

• The more content is manipulated, the more likely it is understood and remembered.

• ~ Janet Allen, from Reading History: A Practical Guide to Improving Literacy

• http://bighugelabs.com/motivator.php

upload an image fill in formatting information Add content When youre done, click Create http://www.zoo-m.com/flickr-storm/ Use Flickr Storm Need an Image?

• Do you have an idea for how you might use Big Huge Labs Motivator tool in your classroom?

• 1) Save an image to your desktop

• PC: right click

• Mac: drag the image to your desktop

• 2) Open the Motivator tool

• http://bighugelabs.com/motivator.php

• 3) Fill in the information-- Create

http://bighugelabs.com/mosaic.php

upload an image fill in formatting information When youre done, click Create Add content Use Flickr Storm http://www.zoo-m.com/flickr-storm/

Taking the Mosaic tool to a deeper level: VoiceThread http://voicethread.com/#e684187

• Do you have an idea for how you might use Big Huge Labs Mosaic tool in your classroom?

Accessing your students metacognitive thinking Combining the left and right side of the brain Developing metaphorical thinking Assessment Tool

upload a background image Add magazine article titles When youre done, click Create

• Using the Magazine Cover mash-up (combining Big Huge Labs with the Word documents callout feature).

• Here Im going to show how I use the magazine cover with a Call Out Assignment to access student thinking. Example on next slide.

• To create call-outs:

• Click the Autoshapes option on the Drawing toolbar.

• Choose a call-out you wish to use.

• Click and drag to create the bubble.

• Resize by dragging a handle/dot from the edge of the graphic.

• To send the bubble to the back or front of another picture, right-click on the edge of the bubble and choose Arrange.

• To move or resize the directional area of the graphic, drag by the yellow dot.

• To enter text, simply select the graphic and start typing. You will not see an I bar.

• You can change the line thickness, color fill, and font of the bubble.

• (Thanks to Annette Lamb for the above instructions)

• Do you have an idea for how you might use Big Huge Labs Magazine tool in your classroom?

http://bighugelabs.com/education.php Use the site advertising-free

• http://wiki.crcpd.ab.ca/groups/newteachers2011webinar/