Visual Culture as Pedagogy: Using Visual Methods for Promoting Critical Thinking

• In Event: 29.025 - Visual Pedagogies and Methodologies: Forwarding Critical Thinking and Action

Abstract

This paper describes the curricular approach and effectiveness of using visual culture as pedagogical sites for learning, and visual methods for promoting critical thinking skills among college students. This approach draws insight from Ellsworth’s notion of pedagogy and anomalous places of learning, outside traditional school systems that provoke us to think and imagine in new ways. This approach utilized art-critiquing techniques for looking and talking about art, as well as thinking critically about underlying socio-cultural issues. The paper discusses how using visual artifacts as pedagogy and visual methods broadened students’ curiosity, observational, analytical and interpretive skills, and argues for the potential of using visual resources and methods as an alternative to traditional tacit text-based approaches for promoting critical thinking.

Author

• Mousumi De, University of Redlands