Symposium: Examining the Dynamics of Visual Communication and Visual Literacy in Modern Society

 

Visual communication and new media connect us and explain the world we are living. Research and teaching practices have indicated a transformative change in the way we express ourselves, manage our identities online and ‘narrate’ theoretical frameworks and pedagogies.  The visual-video literacies project and its MOOC investigated static, dynamic and interactive media in education but we need to continue the exploration and better  understand the rapid and visual pace of modern society.  Therefore, a symposium is organized to promote research and dialogue in visual literacies form technology enhance learning perspective. The symposium is co-hosted by professor Kirk St. Amant, Louisiana Tech University and professor Julie-Ann Sime and Chryssa Themelis, Lancaster University UK.

Proposals Due: Monday, 30 Sept. 2019

Location: Louisiana Tech University Academic Success Center, Shreveport-Bossier City, LA

Symposium dates: 31^st January, 1^st and 2^nd of February 2020

Overview of Symposium

As technologies evolve and cultures change, so do approaches to visual communication and dynamics of visual literacy.  This situation means what constitutes successful visual communication and effective visual literacy is also changing.  For these reasons, researchers, educators, and professional practitioners across different disciplines, industries, and sectors need to continually review, reflect on, and — if needed — revise their understanding of these areas.

Objectives of Symposium

The focus of the Symposium is to bring together researchers and educators working in the areas of visual communication and visual literacy in order to

• Discuss the current state of research in these areas
• Present the results of recent (i.e., within the last year) research in these areas
• Collect comments and suggestions on ongoing or future research projects
• Explore opportunities for research partnerships with colleagues working in these areas
• Map prospective research trends in these areas
• Plan trajectories and discuss conference and publication venues for participants’ work

By examining such ideas, attendees can devise new frameworks and approaches to re-thinking and addressing current and prospective challenges affecting how we approach visual communication and visual literacy within the context of modern society.

Submitting a Proposal

Individuals interested in presenting at the symposium – either via individual presentation or as part of a 3-5-person panel session – are invited to submit a 250-300-word proposal to give a research-based talk during the “presentations sessions” part of the Symposium.

Proposals for individual presentations should be between 250-300 words in length and note

• The title of the proposed presentation
• The name and affiliation of the presenter
• The overall topic/focus of the proposed presentation
• The approach the proposed presentation will take to examine this topic
• The connection of the focus and approach to the theme of the Symposium
• The methods attendees can use to apply ideas to usability and user experience design

Proposals for panel presentations should be between 300-500 words in length and note

• The title of the overall proposed panel session
• The overall topic/focus of the overall proposed presentation
• The connection of the focus and approach of the panel to the theme of the Symposium
• The title and name of presenter for each presentation in the panel and a 2-3 sentence summary of each presentation (including approach used to examine the overall panel topic)
• The methods attendees can use to apply ideas to usability and user experience design

Proposals should be submitted as .doc files emailed to [email protected], and the subject line of the related message should read “VisCom Symposium Proposal.”

Proposals are due on 30 September 2019, and all accepted presenters will be asked to submit a short (250-500 word) summary of their presentation prior to the Symposium so attendees can review this entry and come to the session prepared to discuss and make suggestions on ideas covered in the presentation.

Topics for Presentations

The Symposium is open to several areas relating to usability studies, user experience design, and information and communication design, and topics to consider include

• The methods for conducting research on visual communication and visual literacy
• The theories that should guide approaches to visual communication and visual literacy
• The contexts for studying visual communication and visual literacy
• The methods for assessing research in visual communication and visual literacy
• The variables to consider when evaluating aspects of visual communication and visual literacy
• The topics to focus on when researching visual communication and visual literacy
• The ways aspects of culture, language, and society affect visual communication and visual literacy
• The ways new and emerging technologies affect approaches to visual communication and visual literacy
• The approaches used to teach visual communication and visual literacy to different audiences

As well as other topics connected to the Symposium’s overall theme.

Details on the Symposium

Registration for the Symposium is free to all presenters and attendees, and additional details on travel and lodging for the Symposium will be posted to an event-related website later this summer.

Questions on the Symposium 

Should individuals have questions on or wish to discuss any aspects of the Symposium (or on prospective topics for a presentation), feel free to email the Symposium chair, Kirk St.Amant, at [email protected] .

About the Authors:

Chryssa Themelis is a researcher at Lancaster University, professor/doctoral advisor at Bolton University and an expert of technology enhanced learning (TEL). She works as a researcher/trainer for EU projects such as Erasmus + and coordinates the annual VocTEL conference aiming to promote TEL in Europe. She holds a BA in Economics from Deere College, a MSc in Networked Learning and a PhD in the field of “E-research and Technology Enhanced Learning” from Lancaster University (department of educational research).

Julie-Ann Sime is a pioneer of online distance learning who has been teaching online for 25 years.  She also has 30-year experience of researching into the use of new technologies in training and education, including: use of video for reflection, game-based learning and virtual worlds for training professionals.  She is co-editor of a new book on Networked Learning: Reflections and Challenges (2018).