Lesson 13: Visual Symbols

VISUAL SYMBOLS

• are representations of direct reality, which comes in the form of signs and symbols.
• Like a picture a graph and all other visual symbols, are worth a thousand words, The proper use of visual symbols will contribute to optimum learning

KINDS OF VISUAL SYMBOLS

Visual symbols come in many forms – drawings, cartoons, strip drawing (comic strip) diagram, map, chart and graph.

Drawings

A drawing may not be the real thing but better to have a concrete visual aid than nothing. To avoid confusion, it is good that our drawing correctly represents the real thing.

Cartoons

A fist rate cartoon tells its story metaphorically. The perfect cartoon needs no caption. The less the artist depends on words, the more effective the symbolism. The symbolism conveys the message.

Strip drawings

A sequence of drawings in a newspaper, magazine, etc., relating a humorous story or an adventure. These are commonly called comics or comic strips.

Poster

• Posters abound in education libraries as decorative objects yet few libraries realize the educational potential of the poster. Posters are colorful, attractive learning media which can enhance the learning environment. This paper describes the value of posters in the educational setting, offers suggestions on selecting posters for learning, and includes examples of various types of learning posters.
• The posters were used as a means for students to communicate their accomplishments in implementation and evaluation of an innovative clinical project. Methods for development, exhibition, and evaluation of the poster project are described.

Diagrams

“It is any line drawing that shows arrangement and relations as of parts to the whole, relative values, origins and development, chronological fluctuations, distributions, etc.” (Dale 1969)

Types of Diagrams

1. Affinity Diagram

used to cluster complex apparently unrelated data into natural and meaningful groups.

2. Tree Diagram

used to chart out, I increasing detail, the various tasks that must be accomplished to complete a project or achieve a specific objective.

3. Fishbone Diagram

It is also called cause and effect diagram. It is a structured form of brainstorming that graphically shows the relationship of possible causes and sub causes directly related to an identified effect / problem. It is most commonly used to analyze work – related problems.

Charts

Is a diagrammatic representation of relationships among individuals within an organization. We can have different types of chart:

1. Time Chart

is a tabular time chart that presents data in ordinal sequence.

2. Tree or Stream Chart

Depicts development, growth and change by beginning with a single course ( the trunk ) which spreads out to many branches or by beginning with the many tributaries which then converge into a single channel.

3. Flow Chart

Is a visual way of charting or showing a process from beginning to end. It is a means of analyzing a process. By outlining every step in a process, you can begin to find inefficiencies or problems. 

4. Organizational Chart

shows how one part of the organizational relates to other parts of the organization.

5. Comparison and Contrast Chart

Used to show similarities and differences between two or three things.

6. Pareto Chart

 Is a type of bar chart, prioritized in descending order of magnitude or importance from left to right. It shows at a glance which factors are occurring most.

7. Gantt Chart

Is an activity time chart.

Graphs

Pictures that help us understand data. There are several types of graphs. They are:

1. Circle or Pie Graph

Recommended for showing parts of whole.

2. Bar Graph

use in comparing the magnitude of similar items at different ties or seeing relative sizes of the parts of a whole.

3. Pictorial Graph

make use of picture symbols.

4. Graphic Organizer

you met several graphic organizers in your subject, principles of teaching.

Maps

Is a “ representation of the surface of the earth or some part of it.”

Kinds of Maps

1. Physical Map

Combines in a single projection data like altitude, temperature, rainfall, precipitation, vegetation and soil.

 

2. Relief Map

Has three dimensional representations and show contours of the physical data of the earth or part of the earth.

 

3. Commercial or Economic Map

Also called product or industrial map since they show land areas in relation to the economy.

 

4. Political Map

gives detailed information about country, provinces, cities and towns, roads and highways. Oceans, rivers and lakes are the main features of most political maps.