Available at http://visual-lit.wikispaces.com

Visual Literacy for Teachers (in face-to-face and online instructional environments): In this Poster session an overview of the concept of Visual Literacy, its theoretical foundations and development over the years, a brief presentation of the various visual literacy definitions and related theories, as well as Web 2.0 tools and applications at both the K-12 and higher education levels will be shared. Find out about assessment issues and tools, focusing especially on the Visual Literacy index- a battery of VL tests that participants will be able to experience hands-on!

Outline

1. Overview of VL (discussion and via wiki)
2. Presentation of various Visual Literacy definitions & related theories (discussion and via wiki)
3. Web 2.0 tools and applications for K-12 and higher education (demonstrated online and with links on wiki) (examples will be available for participants to view)
4. Assessment tools (demonstrated)

Process:
Participants will be able to interact with and dialogue about the content being presented. Participants will also take the Visual Literacy index assessment tool. Participants will have access to all the Web 2.0 tools shared via a wikispace set up for the Poster.

Supporting Research

Avgerinou, M.D. (2007). Developing a visual literacy index: Methodological issues & concerns. In R.E. Griffin, B. M.D. Avgerinou, & J. Giesen (Eds.) History, community, & culture: Celebrating tradition & transforming our future (pp. 31-37). Loretto, PA: IVLA.
Avgerinou, M.D., & Pettersson, R. (2007). Designing a visual literacy podcast. In R.E. Griffin, B. M.D. Avgerinou, & J. Giesen (Eds.) History, community, & culture: Celebrating tradition & transforming our future (pp. 39-45). Loretto, PA: IVLA.
Avgerinou, M.D. (2003). A mad-tea party no-more: Revisiting the visual literacy definition problem. In R.E. Griffin, V.S. Williams, & L. Jung (Eds.) Turning Trees (pp. 29-41). Loretto, PA: IVLA *finalist for IVLA Editors’ Award 2003*
Avgerinou, M. (2001). Towards A visual literacy index. In R.E. Griffin, V.S. Williams, & L. Jung (Eds.) Exploring the visual future: Art design, science & technology (pp. 17-26). Loretto, PA: IVLA. *Research in Visual Literacy Award 2001*
Avgerinou, M. & Ericson, J. (1999). Testing visual literacy: Some progress with research? In Griffin, R.E., Gibbs, W. J. & Wiegmann, B. (Eds.) Visual literacy in an information age (pp. 21-26). Loretto, PA: IVLA.
Avgerinou, M., & Ericson, J. (1997) A review of the concept of visual literacy. British Journal of Educational Technology, 28(4), 280-291.
Griffin, R.E., Avgerinou, M.D., & Giesen, J. (Eds.) (2007). History, community, & culture: Celebrating tradition & transforming our future. Loretto, PA: IVLA.
Griffin, R.E., Doyle Cowden, B., & Avgerinou, M.D. (Eds.) (2006). Imagery and artistry: Animating the mind’s eye. Loretto, PA: IVLA.
Burmak, L. (2002). Visual Literacy. Learn to see. See to learn. Alexandria, VG: ASCD.
International Visual Literacy Association (2007). Retrieved 9-30-2007 from http://www.ivla.org
Moore, D.M., & Dwyer, F.M. (Eds.) (1994). Visual literacy: A spectrum of visual learning. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications.

Presenter Background

Nancy Sharoff, MST, MS (Instructional Technology), SDA
Nancy grew up in Europe attending Department of Defense schools in Germany. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree she worked as an Academic Advisor for the University of Maryland, European Division. Upon completion of her MST she taught 2nd grade, 4th grade, and 5th/6th grade Math, and currently is the K-4 Technology Facilitator in Ellenville, New York. She went on to complete a Master’s in Instructional Technology and certification for School District Administrator. In addition to a K-12 setting, Nancy has developed and taught various workshops and graduate level courses in the areas of educational technology, as well as, reading. She has presented at local, state, national, and virtual levels. She is a Google Certified Teacher, a Discovery STAR Educator, and is a Master Teacher for Intel Teaching with Technology. She divides her time equally between 'Real Life' and 'Second Life'.

Maria D. Avgerinou, Ph.D., O.E.T. (Co-Presenter)
Having been exposed to various education systems (Greek, French, British, and currently the American one), Maria’s education record consists of a B.Litt. in Medieval and Modern Greek (University of Athens, Greece); an M.Ed. in Instructional Technology, and a Ph.D. in Visual Literacy, Assessment and Integrated Research Methods (both from the University of Bath, United Kingdom). Maria also received an Online Education and Training (OET) Qualification from the University of London, United Kingdom. She has extensive experience in various levels of Higher Education -such as teaching, research, and faculty development- and has worked as an Instructional Design, Research and Evaluation consultant in Greece and the United States. Her professional publications are focused mostly on the areas of Visual Literacy, Action Research, and Online Learning. Among other professional activities and affiliations, she is an active member of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), and the International Visual Literacy Association (IVLA). Currently teaching at the School of Education (DePaul University, Chicago), the Department of Educational Policy and Research. Her primary research interests include Implications of New Teaching and Learning Technologies for Education and Training; the Development of Visual Communication/Literacy, Visual Learning and Visual Thinking Skills; Managed Learning Environments and Tutor/Learner *Emerging* Identity; and Action Research for the Reflective Practitioner.