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

ACEd Topic
Visual Thinking = Thinking Visually

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

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