Visuals and techniques of visualisation
One can identify techniques based on using visuals and aiming at studentinitiated
visualisation where the stimulus for utterances and the main source for
(language) learning is provided by a visual impact.
It can originate from the most natural source, i.e. the non-verbal aspect of
human interaction. Thus the prime source of learning is the non-verbal
behaviour of teachers, people native to the target language culture and
fellow-students.
Further means of education of visual characteristics can be the various sorts of
boards (blackboard, white board, flannel board, flip chart) that can be used in a
static and an interactive way at the same time. One can place various forms of
texts, tables and images on them in advance and/or use it the way so that the final
amount of information intended to share is the result of the co-operation of
learners and the teacher at the same time. Large pieces of paper (posters) or any
even and smooth surface placed even on the floor in the middle of the classroom
can be used the same way.
Another traditional means of visual presentation are the print resources
including course-books, activity or workbooks, dictionaries published for
language educational purposes. This category can be complemented by books,
magazines, newspapers, brochures and other print materials published for
members of the particular target language communities or selected extracts from
them.
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Flashcards with words, phrases, sentences and particular target language
culture specific data (like dates, names of important people, places, events, etc.)
charts, tables of grammatical rules, posters with various pictures and maps can
provide a visual impact for language learning and linguistic performance at the
same time.
The projection of PowerPoint images – texts and pictures - (i.e. slides) is
taking over the role of projected images that used to be provided by outdating
technologies of the 1950s, 60s and 70s like slide-projectors.
The reason why the role and function of the OHPs have not been taken over by
digital technologies is that OHP offers a more flexible opportunity for involving
students in placing traces of their linguistic performance on the projecting surface
spontaneously and you do not need extremely expensive and sophisticated
equipment. A further advantage of the good old OHP is that there is no other
technology that would let you exploit the educational potential of the so called
shading technique when the silhouettes of various objects placed on the projecting
surface can encourage students guess, predict, describe the vision, i.e. verbalise
their thoughts.
Diorama with models of places (like habitats of animals), events (like a
famous historic event) and various situations (like traffic accidents) can provide a
resourceful stimulus for students - especially in the primary and vocationally
oriented language teaching context – to investigate details, use the information
gained and share their findings in a meaningful context when it is worth
communicating.
The real pedagogical value of diorama is that they offer a visual stimulus in 3
dimensions and learners can be involved in producing them. The language
teaching procedure itself can incorporate the production stage as well as the stage
of exploitation of the complex impression and input they offer.
The same implies to displays set up in and outside language classrooms
focussing on any language learning related topic or event.
Suspended mobiles are the type of visuals that may carry the same educational
function as grammatical tables or charts transmitting selected information or data
(like names, thematic collections of vocabulary items, etc.), but as they can be
hung from the ceiling or any object high up in the classroom (like lamps) they
offer a visual impact in 3 dimensions. Students can be involved in producing
them.
Realia can be classified in further categories. One can distinguish objects that
are typical for the target language culture like an English policeman’s helmet
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or packages, boxes, containers of goods; and objects of universal use, like
shopping baskets, toy-telephones, etc.
Some of the realia may belong to both categories like puppets, card-games or
board-games. The reason why they are special is that some of these can be
(re)produced by the students themselves. A very popular with young teenagers
activity, is the development of board-games that can be the end-product of a
learning procedure for some students and the source of learning for others.
Thus one has already reached the stage when visualisation is not only a
technique to enhance visual reception but it can be an approach to encourage
students to visualise the concept they get by having an input transmitted to
them either via the target language or related to the target language culture. Thus
activities when students have to mime stories or react to an input in anon-verbal
way, or when a story is illustrated by them in d