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Edutopia on Common Core & Visual Literacy Strategies

February 21, 2014 Margo Ensz

VariQuest is committed to providing the most up-to-date information in the education technology industry. We currently have a Common Core State Standards (CCSS) content series in the works, complete with a comprehensive guide and several focused conversations (stay tuned!). So, when we saw Edutopia’s February 20^th article titled “Common Core in Action: 10 Visual Literacy Strategies,” we knew it had to be shared.

The post right away recognizes the visual world students are immersed in. “Visual literacy is a staple of 21st century skills, which state that learners must "demonstrate the ability to interpret, recognize, appreciate and understand information presented through visible actions, objects and symbols, natural or man-made." Several standards explicitly relate to visual learning:

While students are constantly surrounded by images, simply noticing those images is not enough. Students need to move beyond the realm of the literal “surface image” and towards figurative language, metaphor, symbols, and general interpretation. We believe this is an important concept for Common Core Implementation, as the standards, across curriculum and subject, seek to prepare students not only for higher education but also for the workforce.

The ten visual literacy strategies included activities such as think-alouds, the 4ws, and image analysis. These strategies incorporate technology, writing, discussion, and student participation. To learn more about these strategies (each is linked to a handy video, worksheet, or original post) follow this link.

If you are interested in more ways to incorporate visuals into your classroom, check out our Pinterest page and subscribe to our blog so you can have access to our brand new Common Core content first!

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Edutopia on Common Core & Visual Literacy Strategies

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