Considers how too often theories about how to write and read images are limited to a functional view, which stresses objectivity, ignores interpretation, and sees design as preset layout formulae. Argues for a configural view of images that stresses their artificiality and cultural significance and articulates design in strategic terms by…

Identifies concepts relevant to aesthetic literacy, suggests possible procedures for instruction, examines different interpretations of aesthetics, and presents a curriculum model for aesthetic literacy. (Author/JDH)

Notes that basing composition almost exclusively on verbal instruction counters the very nature of literacy education, because the current verbal-based education system produces illiterates in this highly visual and multimodal modern society. Demonstrates composition's verbal bias; argues that this bias is both politically and rhetorically…

Advocates instruction in drawing for journalists to promote functional visual literacy. Argues that journalists comfortable with basic drawing will write more vividly, handle layout problems better, and have better relationships with artists and photographers than journalists not comfortable with basic drawing. Offers instructional objectives and…

Considers how visual literacy implies a poetics of technology, one rooted in basic human passion. Notes that most academic forms sanctioned for students to inhabit are as monumentally dull as the urban forms in which they pass an extra-academic portion of their lives. Concludes that technology is most useful when it allows the poetic spirit to…

This guide, intended as a manual for the beginning director, educational filmmaker, or film school student, provides instruction for attending to the progressive elements of cinematographic craft, from the initial idea to the screen. The guide examines the structure of the script, aspects of acting and working with actors, music and sound, camera…

The articles in this journal issue provide a rationale and methods for enhancing students' critical awareness of visual media and for a process approach to composition instruction. The titles of the articles and their authors are as follows: (1) "Reel English: Film Study in the High Schools" (James Griswold); (2) "Introducing History Media"…

There is a significant mismatch of student preparation for college-level reading tasks and literacy demands placed on our liberal arts college students today. Widely accepted schema theory suggests that teaching metacognition, or consciously thinking about how one thinks, is helpful. Once thinking processes are made transparent to the learner, he…