using images working with visual information. rethinking pictures we take images for granted because...
TRANSCRIPT
Using Images
Working With Visual Information
Rethinking Pictures
We take images for granted because they are present everywhere in our world.
The purpose of the first part of this set of slides is to defamiliarize images so that you can see them and their characteristics anew.
When you can see images differently you may come up with new ways of using them in teaching.
Characteristics of Images
2d representation of 3d world
Implications
The depiction of dimensionality is a cultural convention. This means that people from different cultures can “read” a picture differently. If you have ever had trouble “reading” the icon on the credit card swipe machines (which way to put the magnetic stripe) then you can understand that some people may have trouble reading images created in a culture that is different from theirs.
Something is lost in the translation from 3d to 2d but we are so acculturated to this translation that we may not perceive the loss.
Serial Access vs. Random Access
In order to find a song you want on a cassette, you have to go through all the songs in front of it on the tape. This is serial access; you have to go through other information to find the information you want.
To find a song on a phonograph record you just drop the needle where you want to start hearing music. This is random access; you can find what you want without having to go through other information.
Images are Random Access
This picture is a tracing of the eye fixations of a number of people on this picture. Different people focus on different things in a different order. Text is an example of serial access of information and this is an important difference between text and image.
Implications of Random Access
People can find the information in an image that interests them quickly.
People have control over what they look at in terms of order; control is motivational.
More on Random Access
Random access allows you to see relationships between things such as the spatial relationship between the Eiffel tower and the Centre G. Pompidou in this map. This is an instance of a picture being worth a thousand words.
Not a natural representation of time
Lessing, in his consideration of poetry vs. painting, discussed how the creators of this statue had to choose the moment with the most drama in order to get across a series of events over time.
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Implications
Consider video if you need to depict something in which time is important but you also want images.
The image is not the object
We are so used to images that we would be tempted to say that the above is a pipe. The French in the painting says: “This is not a pipe.” It isn’t a pipe. It’s a picture of a pipe. Magritte, the painter of the picture, is pointing out how we tend to confuse image and object.
Implications
Sometimes the differences between an object and its image are crucial—be aware of this possibility.
Types of Images
PhotographsThis is a photograph from the Civil War era. Historical documents such as photographs serve as primary sources of information (as opposed to someone’s later interpretation of events, secondary sources). Period photographs give a lot of information about the thinking of the time not just because of the image but also because of the photographer’s decisions around the image.
Concepts
A clear photograph can also be used to represent concepts.
Altered photographs
Be aware that photographs these days are easily altered using software such as Photoshop.
DiagramsDiagrams are often an effective combination of image and text, conveying information efficiently.
Diagrams
Some forms of diagrams, such as instruction for making origami or electrical diagrams, have conventional symbol sets that need to be learned. In the case of origami, these symbols include the different types of lines for “mountain” and “valley” folds.
Charts
Like diagrams, charts also present multiple forms of information efficiently.
MapsMaps are also effective representations of spatial and linguistic information. They also have conventional symbols that need to be learned (such as the idea of scale and its representation).
Visual artVisual art can represent aspects of an artist’s life as well as aspects of the artist’s culture. The sky in this painting represents the Northern Lights, which in this culture was a harbinger of war. The use of red probably represents Munch’s abundant personal experience with tuberculosis; he lost family members. Red would represent the blood commonly coughed up by people with tuberculosis.
Using Images
Think about the information you want students to learn in light of the characteristics of images. How might images help in getting the information across?
Technical information
Finding images Downloading images Inserting images in power point and word
documents
Finding images
The web is a great source for images. Go to http://images.google.com and enter a search for your topic.
Notice that you can sort these results by image size, type of content, or even color
Finding images: effective searches
People “tag” or “label” their images with words when they upload them. You have to imagine what a person would call an image you are looking for and use that term for your search.
Don’t give up. The web is so huge that no matter what your interest is, there will be an image out there for you.
Glance at the search results for words that seem to be closer to your concept than the words you first thought about. Use these words in more searches.
Downloading images - Copyright
First: remember that you may be downloading copyrighted images. Your use of them will have to be limited to educational purposes with your students (they cannot be used to illustrate an academic article, for example, without permission).
For more on Fair Use in Copyright Law visit http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107
Downloading images – How to 1
On your Google image search results, click the image you want.
You will be taken to a web page (assuming the image is still up on the web) that will have a Google border/frame on the top.
Downloading images – How to 2
Click on the border at the top where is says, “see full size image.” This will take you to a page that just has the image on it.
Downloading images – How to 3
Right-click on the image. Mac Users: you too must “right-click” on the image but if your
mac mouse does not have a right mouse button then hold the control button while you click.
This right click will give you a menu with the option to “Save image as.” (depending on the browser this might say “Save link as”)
Downloading images – How to 4 Next, a dialog box will open with the contents of your computer.
Choose where you would like to save the document on your computer (i.e. Desktop, My Documents).
Hit “Save”. The image is now on your computer where you put it. In this case it is on the Desktop.
Using images in Word and Power Point Open your document or presentation Go to the slide where you want your image. Click on the menu that says “Insert.” Go down
to where it says “Picture” and then to the right where it says “From file.”
A dialog box will appear. Find your picture and double click on it. It will appear in your document or presentation. If it’s not right, don’t panic. The next couple of slides will help.
Can’t find my picture
Use your computer’s search function. In the Mac world, it is called “Spotlight” and is located in the top
right hand corner and looks like a little magnifying glass. Just start typing the file name and you will get real time results of everything on your computer with that name, click on the file you want.
In the Windows world, it is called “Search” and is located in the Start menu and is also represented by a magnifying glass. Search for the title of your file. When you find it, drag it onto your desktop from the search results box.
Alternatively, follow the steps in the Downloading images slides in this presentation and download your image again. Be sure to put it in a place where you can find it.
Resizing pictures in MS PowerPoint
Double click on the picture itself. A popup box will appear that has tabs at the top. Click on the tab that says “Size.” Make sure that “Lock Aspect Ratio” is clicked so that when you increase or shrink the height or width, the other number will automatically change. Otherwise your picture will get out of proportion.
Choose a height or width that will fit your document or presentation. You can experiment.
Notes on sizing
If you put a tiny picture in your document and you expand it, you will lose picture quality.
If you put a large picture in and shrink it, you will retain quality.
Often in Google, you will get several of the same picture. Choose a large one rather than a small one so you can keep the image high quality. Google also allows you to search by size.
