Visual Literacy Training In Vocational Education University By Using Knowledge Visualization Tools

Visual literacy is becoming one of the fundamental skills as information age comes. By analyzing the visual literacy of students in the vocational education universities, we conclude that the visual literacy training has been insufficient, and more effective training methodologies need to be developed.In this study, we explore the method of using knowledge visualization tools to provide effective visual literacy training for the students in vocational education universities. By offering better visual literacy training to future teachers of vocational education schools, we believe the next-generation professionals' visual literacy ability can be improved. The proposed method is based on our experience with the course "Modern Educational Technology" that is currently being offered in our university. We propose to gradually improve students' visual literacy through following four steps: learning facts, comprehension, application, and communication. Through this process, the students' ability to interpret, use, appreciate, and create images and video can be greatly enhanced. We developed concrete teaching case using knowledge visualization tools, and studied its effectiveness and summarize the key steps in offering such course in a vocational education university setting. The results have been satisfactory and we are working on further improving it.