Visual literacy : an investigation into the interpretation of visuals among primary learners
This research investigated the interpretation of visuals among primary school learners based on currently prescribed textbooks. Ten primary three learners from two schools were used as samples for this study. This case study employs a thinkaloud task that requires participants to label 10 visuals...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2014
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/9114/3/Visual%20Literacy%20%3B%20An%20Investigation%20Into%20The%20Interpretation%20of%20Visuals%20Among%20Primary%20Learners.pdf |
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| Summary: | This research investigated the interpretation of visuals among primary school
learners based on currently prescribed textbooks. Ten primary three learners from
two schools were used as samples for this study. This case study employs a thinkaloud
task that requires participants to label 10 visuals and a semi-structured
interview to determine the learners’ interpretations and how they derive their
interpretations. These sessions are transcibed and analysed. From the findings, a
model is developed to illustrate how primary learners interpret visuals. Results
from the research showed a wide range of interpretations that are influenced by
the knowledge of gender roles, understanding of visual conventions, common
knowledge, prior experiences, identification of salient features, facial gestures and
also expressions. This inevitably implies that primary school learners have
varying levels of visual literacy and that they encounter difficulties in
undertanding visuals due to their different backgrounds and experiences. It is
found that, iconic images are easier for learners to interpret; therefore, the
presence of additional contextual elements in visuals is critical to help learners in
understanding visuals more accurately. Contextual elements can be in the form of
texts, colours and relevant visual elements that can help define the image further.
This study also highlights the need to explicitly teach these young learners how to
critically interpret visuals; in particular symbol-based visuals, as some participants
in this study relied only on context to interpret visuals. |
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