Learning to Look Critically: Teaching and Learning Visual Literacy in Art and Design Librarianship
Teaching and learning visual literacy within art and design librarianship presents several unique challenges. Librarians are better equipped than ever to meet these challenges with the help of ACRL Visual Literacy Competency Standards and the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education, which provides an exciting opportunity to situate visual literacy within the contextual definition of information literacy for art and design students. In mapping these two documents together the author found several ways to address the more critical components of information and visual literacy in more nuanced and meaningful ways. While art librarians have often addressed visual literacy needs to varying degrees and in creative and practical ways, a more systematic approach is needed as we move forward.
Posted in: Recommended Reads, Research Items Filed under: 2017, Academic Libraries, Based on the ACRL VL Standards, Curriculum, Higher Ed, Journal Article, Library Science, United States, Viewpoint, Visual Literacy
Visual Literacy Synthesized: A Content Analysis of Syllabi to Build a Better Visual Literacy Course
This paper implements a content analysis approach to examine syllabi of existing visual literacy and media literacy courses for themes that meet best practices as established by the ACRL standards. These themes have then been combined into a syllabus template representative of a course that will meet the commonly accepted needs of contemporary students in higher education. The template includes recommended readings and assignments.
Posted in: Recommended Reads, Research Items Filed under: 2015, Academic Libraries, Based on the ACRL VL Standards, Conference Proceedings/Presentations, Curriculum, Empirical Research, Higher Ed, Library Science, United States, Visual Literacy
Just as one-shot information literacy sessions can be implemented in college classes to improve students’ research capabilities, similarly-styled sessions on image research can increase their visual literacy skills. The desired outcome of teaching an instructional session is to provide students with the tools and confidence they need to effectively use high-quality visual materials in their undergraduate years and beyond.
Posted in: Recommended Reads, Research Items Filed under: 2015, Academic Libraries, Art History, Criticism, and Conservation, Based on the ACRL VL Standards, Higher Ed, Library Science, Trade Article, United States, Viewpoint, Visual Literacy
Teaching Visual Literacy in the Astronomy Classroom
Astronomy classes that teach students to read and write images, diagrams, and plots offer an ideal venue to teach visual literacy.
Posted in: Recommended Reads, Research Items Filed under: 2015, Astronomy, Based on the ACRL VL Standards, Higher Ed, Journal Article, Physical Sciences, United States, Viewpoint, Visual Literacy