Embracing Visual Literacy in the 21st Century
Maria D. Avgerinou's article, "Re-Viewing Visual Literacy in the 'Bain d’ Images' Era," highlights a crucial point where we are surrounded by visuals more than ever before, and it's time to get better at understanding it.
The article starts off by saying we're in an "image bath" era, where TV, the internet, and other visual mass media, saturate our lives, shaping our perceptions, attitudes, and lifestyles. Avgerinou argues that we need to wake up to this visual culture and start understanding it better. She points out that we are living in a visual culture that demands a shift in how we interpret and understand the constant stream of visual messages that surround us.
The second part of her article goes deeper into what visual literacy is all about. Avgerinou breaks it down into eleven skills. These skills, ranging from knowledge of visual vocabulary to reconstructing and constructing meaning, serve as a guide for navigating the complex visual landscape.
Moving on to the digital age, the third part talks about how everything is going from print to digital. Avgerinou introduces the idea of Digital Visual Literacy (DVL) – basically, understanding visuals in the digital world. She argues that just knowing how to read and write won't cut it anymore; we need to be visually smart in this digital age.
The article wraps up by saying, "Hey, we need to train ourselves and our kids in visual literacy." Avgerinou makes a strong case for schools and educators to step up their game. She thinks it's not just about reading and writing anymore – understanding visuals is a big deal in today's world.
In conclusion, Avgerinou's article isn't just talking about pretty pictures or images on a screen. She’s saying, "Wake up, pay attention, and let's get good at understanding the visuals around us because that's the world we live in now."
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