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