The power of visuals in learning is deeply rooted.
How many lectures have you attended, or books have you read, that made you vow never to forget their message? Only to find, as time passes and more words fill your brain, that the crisp recollections of these pivotal moments have blurred. Something happens that spurs a memory but you cannot conjure the words. Their meaning holds a feeling, a rich, warm, satisfying feeling, but the connection is just out of reach.
The feeling cannot be translated back into cohesion.
It escapes you.
If you had taken notes at these events, you might be able to find them, but chances are they would be illegible and hard to follow. But, if you had a sketchnote at your disposal, something you invested in, cared about, and experienced fully, just one glance would probably create that spark of understanding leading you directly back to the knowledge you seek.
Fast forward. The opportunity to teach a course on the Foundations of Education was presented to me in the Spring of 2019 and I found myself in the situation to accept. I was not daunted by the limited prep time, just eager to get started. However, the course was grounded in an important text. A text that I had not read before. I am a slow, careful reader. I annotate copiously, reread often, summarize and highlight. With one week to prepare, (and a full-time job) what was I to do?
Panic?
No. I could do all those things mentioned as a reader, but this time I would also engage my secret weapon. This time, my careful reading would also be accompanied by a SKETCHNOTE!
Visual images for the win.
That first week of the course I used my sketchnote to assist me. To promote discussion and clarification. Key points, defining facts, a way to check my own veracity. One student asked to see it again. He asked if they could have copies. I was delighted and shared it on our online learning platform. These notes, all in my own personal hand, helped me teach an important text. They were actually essential for me in this new role. More importantly they allowed me to assist and support my students as we embarked on our learning about educational policy, trends, and challenges. A visual reminder of key events and social issues. At just a glance I could remember policy shifts learned eons ago, (a lone mouse and Horace Mann) but long forgotten.
Teaching with sketchnotes is genius.
Thank you to Sarah Mondale (@sarahmondale), and Sarah Patton of Stone Lantern Films for their permission to share these sketchnotes with you. Their documentary of the book, School, the Story of American Public Education, can be found here. Educators, you can find more of their work on the PBS school series here.
Enjoy this short video of each of my captures. Reach out if you have questions or future projects you would like to consider.
I do love this post Lorraine, thank you for sharing your story.
I believe anyone have had the experience, that you perfectly describe in the first paragraphs, at least once in their life.
And I totally second you when you say “… just one glance would probably create that spark of understanding leading you directly back to the knowledge you seek.” .
I refrain myself here to linger on the old adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” and I rather prefer to join you in confirming the value of sketchnote as a methodology to create beautiful artifacts, that work as a gateway to retrieve and surface information, concepts and meanings that the time and the overload of information, to which we are exposed in this era, may have submerged or made vague. Sketchnotes crystallize our notes in a perfect still-less stillness that trigger our brains and minds.
Thank you again for this post, Lorraine, I enjoyed every single word.
Ciao
Mauro xLontrax Toselli
Mauro,
“The value of sketchnote as a methodology to create beautiful artifacts…” Wow, that is the purpose in a nutshell. Your comments encapsulate the depth and meaning of our work. Sketchnotes, do indeed trigger our brains and minds while also activating the heart. It is the empathy in sketchnotes that help students. When they can feel something about their work, it makes all of the connections fire up!
I am so grateful for your work in our world, and for your presence here.
Be safe, my friend.
Lorraine