Visual Stimulus Comprehension

*Visuals can be a picteures on their own or combined with words to convey meaning.
*Symbols,signs,maps,diagrams and storyboards use visuals for a purpose.
*All visuals contain a message. The message could be interpreted as a story,a warning,an advertisement or as information to educate or influence people to buy something or to take some action.

1.Understanding Symbols and Signs

*Symbols are internationally recognised visuals with a clear message.
*They are understood by people everywhere, no matter what language they speak.

Look at these familiar symbols used at airports, on road signs, etc, and their meanings.

           radioactive                                               handicap 

*Signs use symbols, colors, words or numbers to convey a message.

*Read signs can be a warning for driver safety (yellow signs), orders to be followed (red signs), or additional information (green signs).

*A sign with a cross through it signifies something cannot be done.

2.Understanding Maps

*Maps are a diagrammatic representation of an area of land or sea showing physical features such as cities, roads, buildings, etc.

*These visuals offer a bird's eye view of the location of things on a flat surface.

*Maps may have symbols and a key to explain the symbols.

Study this map. Read the labels and understand what they mean. Read the instructions next to the map. Study the words in colour.

3.Understanding Diagram
*Diagrams explain how things work, describe a process or different parts of an object.

*They can use arrows to show movement or labels to name the parts.

Study this diagram and the text below on the lifecycle of a butterfly.