Why is it important to understand the importance and symbolism of images?

I have always been fascinated by images.

From drawing obsessively as a child to studying VCE Visual Communications and VCE Art, I discovered a new respect for the structure and use of images that I had never noticed before.

Sure, I learnt about the 'elements and principles' (and heard many arguments on what should and should not be included in those categories), but the most important thing I learnt about was how influential images are in each of our lives.

Unfortunately, once I stopped taking those classes and spent more time in uni, I started to forget the abilities of images, and how they have the power to manipulate us, and how we see the world. This didn't seem like a major issue to me, sure, I stopped closely analysing every image I came across, but I also stopped trying to further my knowledge of how images can be used in better ways (and as a hopeful future teacher, this factor is pretty important!).

I guess I just didn't see the use of images as something as critical for teaching as it is in other professions (such as advertising).

Here is an example of some of the many reasons why images should be included in marketing (most of which line up with what I learnt about in my classes and my connection to my dad's history in strategic marketing and advertising).

My first year at university, I started learning about Howard Gardner, and his famous theories on learning styles. This was possibly the first time I had heard about the specific importance of images (as opposed to 'it has to look interesting and fun', really, that's a no brainer!).

These theorised 'multiple intelligences' (featured above) divert from the focus on one measurement of 'intelligence', and suggests that an intelligence is the "capacity to process a certain kind of information" (Gardner, 2008). The MI theory suggests that we may be more 'intelligent' in areas not commonly seen as intelligence, and often, if a teacher engages a student through their (the students) preferred area of 'intelligence', then the child is far more likely to grow in their learning, and feel engaged and happy at school (Armstrong, 2009).

It is clear that the inclusion of images is incredibly important in a classroom, as a teacher will need to try and take each learning style into account in order to engage the whole class in their teachings. As I head into the classroom, I need to remember this, and as images can be an easily accessed tool, I should include them as much as possible in my future teaching career.

In addition, I will need to ensure that I am able to teach the future generations about the importance and symbolism of images.

It is clear that images are an important part of our society, in particular when it comes to learning something new. This may be in a classroom, from an event, or depicting an idea. We have thousands of images that have lasted over time, and some of our most famous images have come to symbolise an idea, often where the image lead many to realise and understand the idea or event.

Mother

The Hindenburg Disaster

Naked Girl

Times Square Kiss

Raising the flag

Anti Vietnam War

These famous images are still seen as important today, and have grown to symbolise certain ideas, at times even challenging and changing the world's views. Today, through social media, we are exposed to many more symbolic images that help us see into another's world, it is vital that we look after these, and explore our reactions to them, rather than viewing it as 'just another post' that comes through our feed. Teachers need to encourage children to stop and look, and analyse how the images personally affect them, and if they do, how they will respond accordingly.

In short, we need to use image in our lives, both to teach successfully, and to show how others can teach themselves. Images have the power to change someones life, and can be used to influence the world; we should never forget that.

References:

Armstrong, T. (2009). Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom. 3rd ed. [ebook] Alexandria: ASCD. Available at: https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy2.acu.edu.au/lib/acu/reader.action?docID=485498&ppg=4.

Gardner, H. (2008). Multiple Intelligences : New Horizons in Theory and Practice. [ebook] New York: Basic Books. Available at: https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy2.acu.edu.au/lib/acu/detail.action?docID=903035 [Accessed 2017].