Teaching Graphicacy Reading More Than Words Part II

Teaching Graphicacy: Reading More Than Words Part II ATIA Chicago 2011 Schaumburg, IL © Lucia Hasty and Dawn Wilkinson 11/2011 1

Dawn Wilkinson, M. Ed. Assistive Technology Consultant Technology and Curriculum Access Center Easter Seals Arkansas www. eastersealsar. com/tcc-training-page © Lucia Hasty and Dawn Wilkinson 11/2011 2

Lucia Hasty, MA, CTVI Braille & Tactile Graphics Consultant Rocky Mountain Braille Associates www. tactilegraphics. org © Lucia Hasty and Dawn Wilkinson 11/2011 3

Do You Teach Graphicacy? �What skills? �When/what age? �Curriculum? �Strategies?

Graphicacy � Ability to decode information presented in a graphic � Integral part of literacy � Often overlooked � Rarely taught � Includes reading and writing graphics

So what’s the big deal about graphics? • Significant amount of content in graphics/images – Textbooks – Work environment – Daily information • High stakes tests • Presentation of data in graphic formats • Understanding of image descriptions

Tasks in Decoding a Graphic � Understand intent of graphic � Decode symbols � Interpret content of graphic � Apply content to task Lucia Hasty and Dawn Wilkinson 11/2011 7

Required Skills for Successful Graphic Reading 1. Identify characteristics/significant elements of image◦ land/water on a map ◦ blood flow direction on an anatomy diagram ◦ the sides of a polygon shown in 3 -D Lucia Hasty and Dawn Wilkinson 11/2011 8

Required Skills for Successful Graphic Reading 2. Be able to use the language to discuss components of a graphic • Areas lines, point symbols, labels • Key, keyed symbols • Proximity, directionality, spatial relationships

Required Skills for Successful Graphic Reading 3. Identify attributes of symbols used in a graphic --Rough line means rivers, smooth line means state boundaries -- The label “s(ch)” means Schaumburg

Required Skills for Successful Graphic Reading 4. Develop a system for �scanning graphic and key �searching for specific information Lucia Hasty and Dawn Wilkinson 11/2011 11

Successful Readers Ask: 1. Where am I? • • • Look for title Scan whole graphic and key Identify a point of reference 2. Where am I going? • Look for important clues, prominent textures • Compare area textures, trace major and minor lines, examine point symbols Lucia Hasty and Dawn Wilkinson 11/2011 12

Successful Readers Ask, cont’d: • 3. What am I looking for? – Search key for details – Read labels • 4. How do these pieces fit together? – Actually starts reading the graphic rather than scanning it. – Moves more slowly and intently – Begins to put parts into whole picture Lucia Hasty and Dawn Wilkinson 11/2011 13

Readers Describe Tactile complexity vs Conceptual complexity

How do I teach graphicacy? � Determine reader’s experience with graphics � Identify strengths and weaknesses of current graphicacy skills � Use materials from reader’s current tasks (textbooks, work assignments, mobility maps) � Teach graphics in context as much as possible � Make sure to include both READING AND WRITING of graphics!!!!!

Resources for Reading and Writing • Data Presentation (i. e. graphs and charts) – Tangible Graphs (APH, not currently sold, under revision) – Tactile graph paper (APH; make your own if you have a graphics embosser – Graphic Aid for Math (APH) – Magnet board and magnets

Resources for Reading and Writing � Math ◦ ◦ ◦ Geometry Tactile Graphics (APH) Geometro Sets (APH) Nemeth Reference Sheets (NBP) Draftsman Drawing Board (APH) Math. Window (Wolf Products) Braille Transcribers Kit- Math (APH)

Resources for Reading and Writing • Science – Sense of Science series (APH) – Science Tactile Graphics (APH) – Astronomy • • APH Edinburg University NASA Touch the Universe series – Periodic Table of Elements: – APH – Touch Graphics STEM binder and Pulse Pen

Resources for Reading and Writing � Social Studies/Geography ◦ Maps of the World (APH) ◦ Outline Maps (APH) ◦ Talking Tactile Tablet and National Geographic Atlas (Touch Graphics)

Graphics Resources � www. humanware. com � www. nbp. org � www. aph. org � www. touchgraphics. com � www. youcandoastronomy. com � www. viewinternational. org Lucia Hasty and Dawn Wilkinson 11/2011 21

Download this powerpoint www. Tactile. Graphics. org/teachi ngtgs Email: Lucia@tactilegraphics. org dwilkinson@eastersealsar. com © Lucia Hasty and Dawn Wilkinson 11/2011 22