ACEd Tech

12 - Thinking Visually with Omar Lopez

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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
                  • ...more
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