When teachers work with students to construct a metalanguage that they can draw on to describe and analyze graphic novels, and then invite students to apply that metalanguage in the service of composing multimodal texts of their own, teachers broaden students' analytical frameworks. In the process of doing so, teachers empower students. In this…

What are the capacities of visual arts curricula to engage learning within narrow frameworks of overly "scientistic" standards (Lather, 2007)? With growing emphasis in schools under STEM initiatives and evidence-based standards, the possible cross-pollination of effects that art education may have on a science-centric education may be a…

"Power Tools--Design and Application" (Furtaw) looks at differences between professional and ordinary consumer tools. "Low Budget Laser Printing Solutions" (Dose) gives graphic arts instructors tips on purchasing equipment for high quality output. (SK)

In this article, the author discusses how to teach students to think creatively. In the author's search for a way to teach students that there are multiple approaches to visual problems, she found inspiration from advertising. The author asserts students first need permission to explore their latent ideas, and second, they need the tools to…

Graphics help communicate the image of a publication and of the institution: good graphics gain the readers' attention, and good content gains their respect. Survey of readers, development of a content formula, format, cover, nameplate, typography, photographs, artwork, and paper and color choices are discussed. (MLW)

Arguing that the history of the field of educational technology has been one of glorious promises, many of them only partially fulfilled, this paper presents the premise that desktop publishing (DTP) is just another production fad that will have little lasting effect on the quality of education. Potential benefits of DTP are described as: (1)…

Discusses the emergence of electronic performance support systems and describes some of the ways in which electronic performance support is now influencing learning strategies in elementary and secondary schools. Examples are given that involve writing, music, graphic arts, and algebra, and future directions are suggested. (LRW)

Maps have been used as an illustrative device in children's books for a long time; however, they are an area of illustration that has been largely ignored by critics. Maps are most commonly used as frontispiece illustrations in adventure and fantasy books. They have also generally been aimed at the male reader when children's books were marketed…

Presents a diary account of the process of scripting and authoring a CD-ROM on the criticism of pre-20th century poetry. Shows how English teachers with limited technical backgrounds were able to acquire the necessary skills to see the project through in six months. Discusses the ups and downs of the new student-centered medium. (TB)

Suggests that the use in English language teaching of visual media is based on insufficient analysis of the properties of visual formats, the skills demanded in using them, and the existing literacy of the students. The design and implementation of the appended Visual Information Test are described. (Author/SED)

Describes the conversion of graphic design studios at Virginia Commonwealth University from traditional to electronic environments. Interviews with undergraduates, graduate students, lab assistants, faculty, and administrators regarding the changing environment are summarized; and resulting conclusions and recommendations are presented. Examples…

Prepared by representatives of government, business, industry, and education, the papers in this compilation deal with a variety of aspects of technical communication. The approximately 150 papers are arranged according to the following categories: advanced technology applications, graphics and production, management and professional development,…

Prepared by representatives of industry, government, and the educational community, the papers in this collection were drawn from a conference that addressed a variety of issues of interest to the field of technical communication. Specific topics discussed in the papers are as follows: (1) the role of the Society for Technical Communication in…