This week I have
had the great pleasure to be part of the iConnect iLearn 2015 ‘un’Conference
put on by USD #315 with an invitational to all Northwest Kansas teachers,
administrators, para’s, librarians and others who work in schools. For the past four years or so I have been
allowed to attend and glean from this conference. Each year I commit to
learning at least one technology skill to add to my technology abilities. In fact, usually I come away with at least
three new ways of doing tasks. I always come away more informed and with a
better understanding how our children and youth are interacting with technology
while in their classes. I come back to our library and work to implement and
use these skills for others.
This year is no
exception. I attended several technology
sessions. But, what really stuck with me yesterday, was a non-hi-tech sessions.
It was entitled, “Visualization: Minds On for the 21st Century." It
was done Lina Zeilger (Principal at Quinter Elementary). She has been working
for 25 years teaching and administration.
In the session, she share with us
that she came across the importance of visualizing for students while reading
and learning. This began a journey of
research for her. From this, she has
written the book, “Visualization: Using Mental Images to Strengthen Comprehension. Enhancing Writing through
Visualization,”
I
have learned early in my studies as a child that visualization, pictures and
imagery help me retain needed information, but I thought this was just a
learning style I had. What Zeigler tells
us is that this is effective for most people.
She discovered that TV and Internet pictures, concepts, and video’s show
us what to think and visualize. But reading and listening to radio or
audio-books helps us to learn to visualize.
Many children today have not learned to create their own pictures or
images in their minds as they read or learn about a subject. For today’s children, their imaginary play
times are being superseded by technology.
She did not say to take technology away, just use it with
discretion.
One teacher who
was a returnee on this subject, stated she implemented this technique with spelling
in class. The students were to draw
their words or the concept of the word.
The children found that they were successful at their spelling because
they had associated the work and learned what it meant from within and not
without. She stated that if a child could not visualize a word, then others in
the class helped paint the picture.
Together each child began to succeed.
Those with learning challenges found they were smart in a way, which had
not been tapped into.
What excited me
about this topic was reading. A child
will be more successful at comprehension and remembering the theme of a book, a
subject, concept or topic if they have first used their mind to think and
visualize the characters and descriptions used in the book. Visualization then
enhances forming memories and thus, remembering.
So now you say,
but I can’t do that. It’s not coming to me.
A few years ago, I read the book, “Sarah’s Key” (by Tatiana de
Rosnay), and the author described the Roubaix or Metro dome in France. If had no idea what that looked like or how
it might have looked. I could go to
Google or a database for help. That is a great way to
use technology. A simple non-fiction item written for junior fiction ages, or
using a digital encyclopedia (provided by State Library of Kansas – for free)
will help you find out about a subject quick and easy.
Reading novels, historical
fiction, and biographies of others has been shown to also enhance the way a
person can operate within a situation. Let’s say you have never been in a
situation before and you walk into that situation you have been reading about;
the fact you read, thought about, and visualized the situation in the book will
help you in your real life situation.
Sometimes we have
trouble forgetting bad situation. This
is because memory and emotion is merged and enhanced visualization and memory
is made. We can utilize visualization,
emotion and thinking in a positive way. What if we used this same technique to
enhance our enjoyment? Take a book, read it, visualize.
Push yourself this
week; read a book or genre you’ve never read. Read outside your comfort zone. Pick up a fantasy or science fiction
book. Pick out a book about an age group
or society you know nothing about. Read or listen to a book that challenges you
to take time to relax, enjoy and visualize. If you don't have something like this, go to your local library! The Pioneer Memorial Library where I work, has wonderful resources for its citizens. Our motto is “Bring Words to Life!” Reading and visualizing will help you create, imagine, grow, learn and enjoy!
