Chapter 11: Visual Literacy Strategies for the Social Studies Classroom: Making Minutes Matter

The 21st century demands practical knowledge of technology and the visual image. Unlike any other era in recent history, the importance of understanding the complexities and dynamics of visual images is no longer a skill set reserved for the specialist, but rather a necessary component of the professional and social culture that has been created by the digital age. Students today face an onslaught of images from television programs, films, and advertising, all of which attempt to deliver a variety of messages covering an even wider range of topics. The media culture of this new digital age understands the power and influence images have on society, which is the primary reason why billions of dollars are spent every year in the advertising industry. The proliferation of images facing students becomes even more problematic when considering the widespread use of software programs (like Photoshop) to manipulate and alter digital images, blurring the line of reality and making critical viewing of images more important than ever. As contemporary media continues to use images in an effort to influence society, educators need to spend time explaining about and instructing in the visual realm.