Using photographs instead of clip art in educational settings can significantly impact students' learning and engagement. I try to use only real photographs when teaching phonics and reading strategies using the UFLI Foundations curriculum. Here are 3 reasons, backed by educational science, why photographs are often more helpful:
1. Realism and Authenticity:
Photographs provide a more realistic and authentic view of the world compared to clip art. This realism can help students better understand and relate to the subject matter. According to cognitive learning theories, when learners can connect new information with real-life contexts, they are more likely to assimilate and retain that information (Bransford, Brown, & Cocking, 2000, "How People Learn"). Authentic visuals can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and its practical applications.
How to do that in the classroom:
-Use Real-Life Photos for Vocabulary: When introducing new words or sounds, use photographs of real objects, animals, and activities instead of clip art. For instance, if you're teaching the phonetic sound of "/a/" as in "apple," showing a photograph of an apple, perhaps even in various contexts (like an apple on a tree, an apple being eaten), can make the concept more relatable and authentic to students.
I use vocabulary slides to pre-teach students before reading the UFLI decodable passages found HERE for FREE! I have another blog about how to use decodables that you can find here. You can check out my slides on my TPT store.
2: Enhanced Engagement:
Real images can capture students' attention more effectively than the often-simplistic designs of clip art. The detail and complexity found in photographs can stimulate curiosity and engage students at a deeper level. Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning suggests that people learn better from words and pictures than from words alone (Mayer, 2009). The realism in photographs can make the learning experience more engaging and memorable.
How to do that in the classroom:
-Use Photos for Phonics Games: Adapt classic classroom games to include real-life photographs. For example, in a matching game, students could match photographs of objects to letters or sounds. This tactile and visual approach to learning can help solidify phonics concepts in young learners' minds.
-TOP TIP: Pictures allow students to practice ENCODING!
Instead of reading to take their turn, have students spell with the target skill! These are part of my UFLI-aligned Small Group Intervention packs.
3: Improved Comprehension and Retention:
The use of high-quality photographs can enhance comprehension and retention of information. The Dual Coding Theory (Paivio, 1971) posits that information is more easily learned and recalled when it is encoded both verbally and visually. Photographs can provide vivid, visual representations of concepts that complement textual descriptions, thereby aiding in the deeper processing and memorization of information.
How to do that in the classroom:
Create a Phonics Photo Wall: Dedicate a space in your classroom where you can display photographs related to the phonics concepts being taught. Each week, you could focus on a different sound and have students bring in photographs from home that represent that sound. This not only reinforces the phonics lessons but also connects students' home environments with their learning at school, making the learning process more meaningful.
Download the FREE student notebook page here. I plan to print it poster-size! All the photos match the UFLI keywords for consonant sounds.
There is also a D'nealian version here.
EDITED TO ADD: I found this resource for free from the authors of Shifting the Balance, a wonderful, must-read book!! Click the picture to get it.
And yes, the elephant in the room... the only downside... COLOR INK! But printing once, laminating, or using page protectors will help the resources LAST! Click below if you want to check out more UFLI-aligned resources, phonics games, and centers that use REAL PHOTOS!
