Visual Literacy in Geography

Visual tools in geography The following powerpoint will present information about: Graphs Photographs Diagrams Specialist maps Infographics cartoons

Graphs A graph is a visual representation of data. It can be quantitative (i.e. numbers) or qualitative (i.e. descriptive). Types of graphs include: Bar and column Histograms Line Pie charts picture Climate graphs Population pyramids Scatter plots Some examples are shown on the following 4 slides….

What are Charts? A sheet of information in the form of a table, graph, or diagram.

Using graphs and charts to answer questions Graphs and charts can be useful and must be reviewed as follows: Description: describe the trends, pattern and/or issues illustrated. Analysis: using appropriate geographical terminology and concepts, EXPLAIN the trends, patterns and/or issues identified. Implications: Describe the geographical implications of the trends, patterns and/or issues identified.

Photographs for Geographers Photographs are images that geographers use for: Describing the natural and human environment Compare different places around the world Show how places change overtime Save many words by when describing features in our world

Types of Photographs Ground-Level Photograph Oblique-aerial Photograph Satellite Imagery

Photographs show changes overtime - seasonal

Changes in time during the day Gold Coast, QLD Sunrise

Gold Coast QLD, Daytime

Gold Coast QLD, Night time

Changes in different time periods Glebe Island Bridge

What are these photographs showing us?

How to interpret photos? Describe what you see in the photo graph. Have there been changes? Explain.

Diagrams and specialist maps Diagrams and specialist maps are tools used to show the arrangement of various elements in a process, and the relationship between those elements. Types of diagrams are: Vegetation profiles Flow diagrams Venn diagrams Transect diagrams Types of specialist maps are: Choropleth maps Physical maps Topographic maps Political maps Weather maps Flowline maps

A world choropleth map…

Using diagrams/maps to answer questions Diagrams/maps can be useful and must be reviewed as follows: Description: describe the geographical issue, process or phenomenon illustrated. Analysis: using appropriate geographical terminology and concepts, EXPLAIN the issue, process or phenomenon. Implications: Describe the geographical implications of the the issue, process or phenomenon addressed.

Infographics Infographics (or information graphics) are visual representations of data. It presents often-complex information in a visually engaging and easily accessible form. They are essentially other types of images!

Using infographics to answer questions Infographics can be useful and must be reviewed as follows: Description: describe the geographical issue, process or phenomenon illustrated in the data Analysis: using appropriate geographical terminology and concepts, EXPLAIN the issue, process or phenomenon. Implications: Describe the geographical implications of the the issue, process or phenomenon addressed.

Cartoons A cartoon is an drawing created using humour or satire that addresses a topical area around public issues, personalities, events, social trends or other areas for commentary.

The power of the cartoon in a classroom Cartoons have the power to present complex issues, events and trends. Cartoons promote interest in a particular idea, issue, event or social trend. Cartoons allow us to appreciate and understand a particular idea, issue or event. Cartoons initiate classroom discussion and debate, and promote critical literacy

Political, pocket, and comic strip cartoons. Types of cartoons Political, pocket, and comic strip cartoons.

Elements of a cartoon Caption: A text-based statement used to reinforce and contextualise the cartoon’s visual elements. Caricature: The portrayal of an individual’s/objects physical features in an exaggerated or distorted way.e.g. large head for someone intelligent. Symbol: the inclusion of representational forms or images that have meaning beyond what is obvious and immediate e.g. Dragon represents China Visual metaphor: Artistic devices used to help our minds come to grips with complex ideas by relating them to something more familiar and readily understood. E.g. storm depicts dark times ahead

Elements of a cartoon Irony: an expression in which the true meaning is the opposite from the literal meaning Satire: the use of ridicule or scorn often in a humorous or exaggerated way Context: Understand the context of the cartoon. More often than not, the political cartoon will be published in context, meaning that it is associated with the main news story of the day. If you are viewing a political cartoon outside of its original publishing source, you will want to be well-read about current and historical events. This all supports the… Perspective: The point of view adopted by the cartoonist. Tone: the mood created by the cartoon that hints towards the overall cartoonist’s attitude.

Perspective: The point of view adopted by the cartoonist. E. g Perspective: The point of view adopted by the cartoonist. E.g. globalisation only benefits the rich Caption: A statement used to reinforce the cartoon’s visual elements. E.g. globalisation and ‘the rich’ Caricature: The portrayal of an individual’s physical features in an exaggerated or distorted way. E.g. poor person is small ad scared; rich person looks relaxed Symbol: the inclusion of representational forms or images that have meaning beyond what is obvious and immediate e.g. the large wave symbolise that globalisation is powerful and will wipe out all! Visual metaphor: Artistic devices used to help our minds come to grips with complex ideas by relating them to something more familiar and readily understood. E.g. big wave represents globalisation