Tools for teaching - A visual aids workshop, and instruction manual for health educators: Session 1. Introduction to the visual aids workshop: 1.4 Design considerations

Tools for teaching - A visual aids workshop, and instruction manual for health educators

Session 1. Introduction to the visual aids workshop

		Illustration 1.1.1 - Learning chart (Supplementary learning materials)
		Story 1.1.2 - The blind men & the elephant (Supplementary learning materials)
		Illustration 1.1.3 - The blind men & the elephant (Supplementary learning materials)
		Illustration 1.1.4 - Double arrows (Supplementary learning materials)
		Illustration 1.1.5 - Faces/vase ambiguity (Supplementary learning materials)
		Handout 1.4.1 - Principles of communication design (Supplementary learning materials)
		Handout 1.8.1 Making & using visual aids (Supplementary learning materials)
		1.1 Orientation to class structure & methods
		1.2 Types of visual aids: A survey
		1.3 Media & techniques: An overview
		1.4 Design considerations
		1.5 The design process
		1.6 Project assignments
		1.7 Master plan
		1.8 Homework assignment: Idea generation

1.4 Design considerations

25 Minutes

PROCEDURE

1) Divide participants into teams. Ideally, team members should live and/or work in the same general location so that they can get together easily to complete homework assignments. The optimum arrangement is to set up four teams of three to four members each.

2) Distribute PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNICATION DESIGN (handout 1.4.1).

3) After teams have reviewed the manual for a few minutes, ask participants to name the principle characteristics of an effective visual aid. Request a volunteer to write these items on a large piece of paper taped to the wall. The list should contain the following design considerations

• simple (in terms of both concept and design)

• direct

• accurate

• easily understood

• easy to use

• cost effective

• sensitive to local customs and traditions

• colorful (to attract and hold attention)

• appropriate (in terms of subject, occasion, and audience)

• stimulating (to encourage audience participation)