Visual Research

Often during library skills instruction, I'm so driven to introduce and reinforce skills for database navigation that I forgot about the wonderful visuals that are included in them. Frequently, the students in addition to submitting a paper, are required to develop a visual presentation, i.e., powerpoint, slideshow, or short videoclip. So, in the future, I'll have to make sure that I reserve time for visual research as well. Last week, students and I had a lot of fun looking at pictures of religions around the world. The pictures provoke even more probing and questioning. We looked at interesting details and tried to make certain intelligent deductions making sure they weren't just assumptions. This activity take students right back to the articles found in Ebscohost and Britannica Online. Pictures gave the students a different view of their assigned religions. Pictures really transport a student right there where the religion is practiced and helps them understand the topic in ways that words may not. To maximize this opportunity, students should write down their observations about the pictures. Later with reflection, these notes may be developed and incorporated into the final report. The best part of the using the photos from the subscription database is right to use them. Students aren't violating copyright law when they use these. The same benefits and opportunity exist when students engage visual research through paintings, illustrations, diagrams, charts, and maps.