Pictures, photographs and visual images may be used in a number of different ways in SPHE. Children need to develop skills of discernment and critical analysis to deal with much of the conflicting information and misinformation that they receive from various sources. Pictures and photographs are a powerful means of provoking a reaction or arousing interest in a particular topic or subject.
Examining visual images enables the children to
- explore bias
- question the content of an image
- explore different points of view
- compare their own experience with reality
- explore attitudes and understanding of certain concepts
- examine stereotyping and the similarities and differences between people.
Pictures are a helpful means of presenting sensitive or controversial information to children. For example, naming the private parts of the body can be effectively taught by using an illustration from a book and discussing it with a group of four or five children. When the children are older the teacher could use appropriate pictures to help them understand the growth of the foetus in the womb. Exploring a picture in a small group allows the teacher to create the security in which individual children can ask questions and to grade information according to the readiness of individual children.
Pictures and photographs can be used in many ways within a lesson. They can provoke a discussion or provide the incentive for engaging in another activity. Photographs can also be used as the main activity, where the photograph can be explored and analysed and used to elicit ideas from the children.
Pictures or photographs used in the class can be taken from a magazine or newspaper or from a professionally produced picture pack.
In exploring visual images children will also become familiar with some of the techniques used by the media. They could identify techniques used in advertisements or extracts from television programmes and so become critical media users.
In the following pages the exemplars explore a number of techniques, including
- reading a photograph
- using pictures as a stimulus for discussion or in determining previously acquired knowledge about an issue
- ranking pictures
- exploring perspectives and bias
- using captions
- creating speech/thought bubbles
- classifying and setting
- exploring a television advertisement.
EXEMPLAR 7 - Reading a photograph
EXEMPLAR 8 - Pictures as a stimulus for discussion
EXEMPLAR 11 - Pictures as a starting point
EXEMPLAR 13 - Speech/thought bubbles
EXEMPLAR 14 - Classifying and setting
EXEMPLAR 15 - Exploring a television advertisement