I've spent some time checking some visual content stuff out...and wanted something to show for it, so am writing this post.
As John noted, whether or not these sites amplify student learning is the most difficult question. Agreed. My thinking is that this is the case because there is not a clear cut answer - even the question itself begets another - what is meant by amplifying? Better standardized test scores? Higher retention? Better ability to write an essay? Increased engagement? To me, I know when I've seen amplification of learning, but describing it is more difficult.
So...I'm wondering if there can be a 'formula' so to speak for ensuring that student learning is amplified as a result of using these sites? Since they're different sites, obviously, would that necessitate specific scaffolds for each? Or, could there be a general scaffold that asks students to do something like analyze at least 2 graphs (look at x axis, look at y axis, what does line(s) represent, what do you think this graph means, etc), look at a map, look at an image, etc.??
And then...(and I don't know what I'm so fixated on the apps part of this) have an app that helps students do all of this?
HOWEVER...one major snag about that...I'm wondering if a lot of these sites are created in Flash. I just checked, and Visual Eyes is. Of course, an iPad won't support that...
What do you all think?
Amplification suggests that something will come into better view. In my thinking, a pedagogical amplification would bring into better view some content a student is trying to learn. Seems like visuals have to power to amplify in a lot of ways. They might simplify complex ideas the way that venn diagram does. A visual might representing information in contexts that are more closely aligned with their natural state. For example, if we want to help students learn about the Earth's surface, maps (as visuals) tend to communicate ideas better than words. I suppose that a visual could also amplify some aspect or part of an idea.
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