10.1 | Visual Vocabulary
Exploring Visual Vocabulary
What is it?
Marzano (2009) provided a list of methods that targeted methods to provide a deeper understanding of novel vocabulary words to increase both receptive and expressive language skills. One of the most important methods involved having “students construct a picture, pictograph or symbolic representation of the word.”
— Marzano, R. J. (2009). The art and science of teaching: Six steps to better vocabulary instruction. Educational leadership, 67(1), 83-84.
Why?
Multisensory processing can lead to high student growth and achievement through faster processing.
Tactile learning in addition to visual learning can show increased in learning by up to 30% When we move our bodies our brain gets more oxygen.
Get those learners drawing for both visual and tactile learning experiences!
Brains Need Connections Video, 12 seconds
What Tools can Students Use?
There are a number of ways for students to get started with the apps available on their iPads.
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- Younger learners could use Seesaw, which should already be installed on their iPads.
- Student iPads already should have Notability installed, which allows students to combine text and drawing, add images, and more.
- Using the Camera app and opening images in Photos allows students to Edit and Markup images.
- Pages, Numbers and Keynote are apps available in the UA App Kiosk that offer drawing, charting, and even animation tools.
- Also available in the UA App Kiosk is the Tayasui Sketches School app, which is a special edition of the app targeted for a younger audience, with a specifically designed interface making it very accessible to kids.
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Younger Learners or those just starting to build a Visual Vocabulary
Choose an activity that fits the level appropriate for your students. Here are some ideas to consider —
Make Your Own Emoji
In Seesaw, Sketches School or Notability, have your students draw an emoji that shows how they are feeling. Share the emojis with the class.
Everyday Objects
Have students take photos of everyday objects, then use the Markup features in the Photos app to bring their photos to life.
This activity is described in the free Everyone Can Create Photo Links to an external site. ebook from Apple Education.
Vocabulary Snapshots
Assign each student a word and ask them to create a snapshot image that represents the word.
Come up with an image that connects the word, its meaning, and the backstory. Not easy! But perhaps outside-the-box enough to capture some interest. Then let everyone share their snapshot designs.
Word Designs
Draw a word in the shape of its meaning.
Going Further with Visual Vocabulary Activities
Here are a few ways you can help students continue to build their confidence and expand their Visual Vocabulary skills.
Intermediate Spotlight Example:
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- Have students read the following article:
https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/whos-at-the-top-of-the-food-chain Links to an external site. - Differentiate and assign a vocabulary term from the article to each student.
- Have the students create a visual mnemonic of the vocabulary term and share with a partner.
- Have students read the following article:
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Here are some examples provided by Tremont 5th Grade teacher, Moxy Decker:
Drawing Pictures to Represent Things & Actions
Ask students to practice drawing examples that represent nouns and verbs.
Then have them combine them into sentences.
Getting Started with Sketchnotes
Sketchnotes are a good way for students to combine their notes, drawings, photos and more to sharpen concentration, express creativity, and create deeper understanding. Many people are hesitant, though, thinking that 'they can't draw.' You can help them overcome this perception by guiding them through a series of very basic exercises to 'loosen them up.'
Start with Simple Shapes
Have students create a new note in Notability, and use the drawing tools to draw these simple shapes – Circle, Square, Triangle, Line and Blob.
When you need more precision, Notability will automatically convert your sketched item into a shape if you hold at the end of your stroke (don't lift up) until the shape appears.
You can then tap the shape and change it's appearance with the Style option in the pop-up menu.
Practice Drawing Stick Figures
Everyone can draw a stick figure. Show your students how they can add more life to these figures in simple ways. Remember, people have joints in their arms and legs! Have them experiment!
Use Notability's Zoom Writing Mode for More Control
You don't need an expensive stylus to take good sketchnotes on an iPad. The Zoom Writing Mode in Notability allows greater precision, and keeps your wrist from touching the iPad screen and interfering with your writing or drawing.
When you have a drawing tool selected, tap the Magnifier/Plus Sign icon at the lower right of the screen. This opens the Zoom Writing panel at the bottom of the display, and shows a white rectangle above that on the page.
Whatever you write or draw in the panel at the bottom is added to the page within the small white box above.
Drag the middle of the white box to add text to another part of the page. (If you drag the lower right corner, you will resize that box and make the next items you draw larger or smaller.)
For a video and more detailed instructions, see 7.1.6 | The Magic of Zoom Writing Mode! (this link will open in a new window).
Sketchnote Practice Exercises
Kristin Bugnitz, Media Specialist at Tremont, shares this Get Ready to Sketchnote Toolkit Download Get Ready to Sketchnote Toolkit PDF document for students to explore. You might share the PDF with your students, and suggest they Import it into a New Note in Notability, where they will be able to practice the techniques.
Examples of High School Sketchnotes
This brief video shows examples of one high-school student's sketchnotes, taken in Notability using an inexpensive Fiber Mesh stylus.
Notes for all of her classes were organized and in one place. She imported presentations shared by her teachers and took notes directly on the slides during class. Teachers also shared PDF worksheets and assignments, which were completed in Notability and then submitted. Upon reflection, she felt that this process helped her improve her focus and understanding, and she did better in school.
Student Sketchnote Examples Video, 1:05 minutes
Sketchnote Resources
- Guide to Visual Notetaking Links to an external site. — Google Doc with Grade-Level links from Kristin Bugnitz
- 8 Ways to get started with doodling in the classroom Links to an external site. — Caitlin McLemore, at weareteachers.com
- Why Teachers Are So Excited About the Power Of Sketchnoting Links to an external site. — Katrina Schwartz at kqed.org
- Taking Visual Notes with Sketchnotes: An EdTechTeam Session on Air with Brad Ovenell-Carter Links to an external site. — YouTube.com
- Sketchnotes 101: Visual Thinking Links to an external site. — Craighton Berman at core77.com
- How to Get Started with Sketchnotes in the Classroom Links to an external site. — Melissa at readingandwritinghaven.com
- What are Sketchnotes Links to an external site. — Mike Rohde at sketchnotearmy.com
- How to Sketchnote (with no artistic ability at all) Links to an external site. — Cathy Hutchinson at yourvisualjournal.com
- Sketchnotes: Characters and Locations Links to an external site. — Kevin Thorn at nuggethead studios
Other Resources
- The Noun Project Links to an external site. — having trouble thinking of an image? Check this amazing library for ideas
- Draw Annotate and Use Scribble in Pages Links to an external site.
- Draw Annotate and Use Scribble in Keynote and Numbers Links to an external site.