12 - Thinking Visually with Omar Lopez

Omar Lopez

  • Teacher – Irene Garcia Middle School – La Joya ISD
  • 8th grade Science
    • Previously taught 7th and 8th grade ELA as well
  • Avid Sketchnoter
    • Graphic Recorder
  • Twitter: @OmarLopez0207

ACEd Topic

Visual Thinking = Thinking Visually

  • Hope to spark or reaffirm interest in thinking visually.
  • Goal of educators: find the best way to help students learn

Intro

  • Asking others to visualize is natural – almost automatic!
  • Putting ideas into a visual – Thinking Visually or Visual Thinking
  • Popularity of Sketchnoting or Visual thinking products?

II. What is Visual Thinking?

  • Visual thinking is a way of conveying something complex – a concept or a process – in a way that is easy to see and understand – others or self.
  • It’s a way of seeing words as a series of images, pictures or symbols.
  • Doesn’t have to be an illustration.
  • Example: Annotated article – highlighted, symbols, underlined words, notes to the side
  • Don’t have to be an artist to be a visual thinker!
  • Quote: “Visual thinking does not mean replacing the word “car” with a drawing of a car. And being a good visual thinker has absolutely nothing to do with your ability to draw. ”

III. Benefits of Thinking Visually

  • Target different learning styles
  • Auditory learners listen and draw key ideas
  • Helps with spatial awareness
  • Kinesthetic – gallery walk
  • Hands on or tactile – Ex: using Legos
  • Especially helpful for English Language Learners (ELLs)
  • Studies support it drawing as a cognitive learning practice
  • It’s easy to do – drawn map vs written directions!
  • Students take ownership
  • Visual information is processed more quickly than text.
  • Improve retention of information and deeper understanding
  • There is no wrong way of doing it

IV. Tools

  • Analog – Common inexpensive way – more accessible
  • Colored pens markers and paper
  • Favorite Personal tool: iPad Pro with Apple Pencil
  • Devices in school
  • As an educator and for student use:
  • Google Slides and Spark Post – same username
  • Icon add-on on Slides
  • Easy to insert what they see in their heads
  • Less time consuming
  • Collaboration
  • Initially – strict and specific parameters
  • Tailored and prescriptive objectives
  • As Students progress more freedom is given
  • Focused visuals help with STAAR writing –
  • Deeper development of ideas
  • Supporting DETAILS
  • Flow and coherence

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