12 - Thinking Visually with 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

• 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