A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

What about pictures? Images such as photographs, artwork, or basic drawings are used to supplement learning. Pictures help to present and define words in a more meaningful context. This will enable the students to learn, understand, and utilize that vocabulary in all aspects of their lives. Thus, teachers are suggested to use pictures to enhance their students’ vocabulary. Phrasr is a tool that can help teachers to communicate this approach to the students.

Link: http://www.pimpampum.net/phrasr/

General Description

Phrasr is a web tool that allows users to create an animated phrase. The tool uses Flickr images to illustrate the phrases that users submit, in which each word in the sentence will be represented by an image.  To be able to use the tool, simply go to the website PimPamPum and click on Phrasr. Then, users need to insert the any phrase that they like in the box provided. In a second, the images will flash up, and they can start to choose every image. Once it is done, they can publish the animated phrase which will be presented as a personal slide show. The following slide show is an example of animated phrase that I created by using Phrasr. Click here to get access to the slide show.

 

Level and Age

Phrasr can be used by students at all levels of English proficiency since it is easy to use and does not require high level of thinking for beginners to use. Thus, the tool can be applied for both primary and secondary schools ranging from the age of 8-17 years old. This is also applicable to adult learners especially for the purpose of illustrating flowery phrase.

How To Use Phrasr For Teaching English?

Phrasr can be used in a number of ways such as:

1. Vocabulary: Teacher introduces students with some important vocabulary such as words used in communication (e.g.: articulate, coherent, responsive, persuasive, etc.). Dictionary use is allowed. Then, in groups of three, students need to group the words (e.g.: group into good and bad communication).  Using the Phrasr, they will create phrases with these words. Hence, based on my example, students will get slide shows or the portrait of good and bad communications. This activity is continued with follow-up questions to ensure that students have understood the meaning of the vocabulary.
2. Idioms or proverbs: Teacher will give students a text that contains idioms or proverbs. Then, students will have to scan for the idiom or proverbs. Teacher will then explain the meaning of the idioms or proverbs. After that, students are asked to illustrate those idioms or proverbs using the Phrasr. Once it is finished, teachers will ask students to give a brief comment on why they choose such pictures to illustrate the idioms or proverbs. 
3. Literary figures of speech: Teacher will give students a poem contains some literary figures such simile, metaphor, and hyperbole. Next, students need to scan for the words and in groups of three they will have to use Phrasr to illustrate the phrase that contains the literary figures. Once it is done, students will make some comments upon their illustration. Lastly, teacher will lead a discussion about the underlying meaning of the figures of speech and its uses.
4. Speaking activity: Teacher can come with a sentence and illustrate it by using the Phrasr. Based on that illustration, in groups of four, students need to make a conversation. For example, teacher illustrates a sentence such as “I don’t like action movies.” Then students can start the conversation by saying “Oh, what kind do you like?” or “ But I like action movies because..” and etc. The conversation will continue till the end. Meanwhile, teacher will observe the conversation that is going on and interrupt if necessary.

Evaluation

Advantages:

1. Scaffolding learning. The images provided by the tool help students to enhance their understanding of the vocabulary.  Visual imagery assists students in learning word meaning and in making better predictions and inferences (Center, et al, 1999). 
2.  It also helps students to develop multiple skills such as creative thinking skills, speaking skills, and presentation skills.
3. Phrasr appeals to the students multiple intelligences. The use of images in learning supports the different styles of learning among the students. Hence, they would be able to produce the best work.
4. It is fun and engaging. It leads students to focus on learning and involve in active learning by producing works rather than just being a passive learner.  

Disadvantages:

1. Once the animated phrase is published, it can no longer be edited. The only solution is students need to recycle it, edit the slide show and give another title for that animated phrase. 
2. The library of pictures might provide students with inappropriate pictures. Hence, teachers should carefully observe students’ work.
3. Some words that students are looking forward to might no be available. Thus, they are forced to choose other picture which is not really what the word meant. Otherwise, they can also opt for no picture for that particular word. Nevertheless, this lacking could enhance students ‘creative thinking skill as students might have creative ideas for choosing unrelated pictures.

Reference:

Centre, Y., Freeman, L., Robertson, G., and Outhred, L., (1999). The Effect of Visual Imagery Training on the Reading and Listening Comprehension of Low Listening Comprehenders in  Year 2. Journal of Research in Reading, 22(3), 241-256.