About a year ago, I found the following slideshow, creating a post about it on a previous —now somewhat defunct — blog. So, I’m reposting it here. It will be able to get archived and found easier. Plus, maybe it will resonate with you.
Consider this slide show on Slideshare: “Knowing.the.World.We.Live.in.” In this slideshow, review it at full screen so you can read the legends for each slide. Another site called this “The Power of Stars.” The message is powerful. How do you think the message in the presentation is interpreted through visual literacy, graphic design and message design?
Knowing.The.World.We.Live.In
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Rather interesting. Has few times re-read for this purpose to remember. Thanks for interesting article. Waiting for trackback
The flags were a wonderful way to visually represent the instruction. It allowed the information to become more personal than with bars or graphs.
I thought the use of the flags to represent the statistics surrounding the issues of the respective countries worked well as a tool of association. Where traditional graphs would have conveyed the same data, using flags did a much better job of making the data real and of conveying the larger message that we’re talking about not just statistics, but real people with real issues that need resolution, which should be achieved through the collective work of the global community.
Thanks for sharing,
Tabatha D. (UUG)
I found this really interesting. I was shocked by the results that were shown in the legend. I love the way this powerpoint presented the information. The results were clearly seen on the flags. Our students today would be able to see the main problem with something using flags or symbols a lot better than using numbers. If your purpose to show something like the HIV infected people without numbers the students would see the problem a lot better because they would not get bogged down with the numbers. This technique would give the visual learners a clearer view of information.
The visuals were very effective. Many times you see the statistics on such matters but that is all they are statistics. I like the visuals and what they actually represent. Using these visual on non-important topics would simply not be as effective.
The flags of represented nations furl in the breeze as they stand their post outside the United Nations buildings. Representatives have an appreciation for the symbolism of each country’s flag and the sense of pride and distinction that attends. This slideshow was a presentation to the UN–so using a meaningful, familiar symbol to convey these proportional statistics was truly inspired. Good graphic design enhances the message; it evokes emotional connections and embeds long-lasting recollection. You may not remember the detail, but you will remember the images and your reaction.
This was a good representation of the world we live in. It keeps you interested more than graphs or numbers would. This is a good tool to use to resonate with students.
The PowerPoint presentation was extremely informative. Students should be aware of their surroundings.
Often times less is more. The flags play an integral part in making a deeper impression in relation to the statistical information being represented. The graphics in conjuction wth the side notes appeal to visual learners. This was an intutive method for representing the data. Much better than makin a table and chart then adding a commentary explaing the statistics.
This slideshow is extremely powerful. The shock factor comes in when you realize that flags that often serve as symbols of pride and power and lofty ideals of a society can also show the things that should cause great shame, fear and concern. I think that it is an excellent example of literacy in the Information Age because the use of visuals seem to now be just as important as words in expressing ideas.
As an educator, I would be highly impressed if I had a student who submitted an example like this for an assignment. The ability to take an object and change the use of it in a productive way is what great inventors have done for centuries. This example is just not as hands-on and concrete as we are used to thinking.
But, I’m finding out as I learn more about the strategies and methods of active learning that students aren’t necessarily engaged in making a concrete object to be actively engaged. The use of technology in the context of active learning seems to lend itself to more out-of-the-box thinking and interpretation of learning products and projects.
@Danita and Tara, thank you so much for dropping by and leaving a comment. Tara, I really like your comment that suggests the contrast between pride/nationalism and then how the symbols are being used in this presentation.
A very creative presentation indeed. Clearly a lot of thought went into its design. The presentation did not include any extra filler; definitely quality over quantity. It was at once understandable and engaging. While I am impressed by this student’s creativity I am wondering about how these statistical comparisons are coming from. Are the sections of each flag representative of the actual population? I would love to see this presentation include a little more of concrete information along with the great visuals. For example, the student might want to add percentages and cite references.
This is a powerful message because it uses images with which we are already familiar to present information that we may not already know. The disconnect between the proud national symbol and the real information creates a moving dichotomy.
We’ve all heard the saying, “A picture’s worth a thousand words”. How about, “A picture and a legend is worth a million.” So creative and awakening this presentation was on that particular day and still is as viewers experience it for the first time.
Just having a visual perspective adds a new dimension to awareness and critical thinking opportunities. If given a similiar challenge, students would dive right in with all fours, so to speak. This would beat researching and writing a report any day!
Hi, Amy. Thanks for stopping by and commenting on this slideshow. It is so meaningful and powerful. I think, though, about how it might be received by a teacher if produced by a student.