Visual Communication Design (photography) action research at Ballajura Community College
Action research for the new Visual Communication Design course has proven a great success at Ballajura Community College.
The school participated in action research for the course using photography as a context for the course.
The course will be implemented in schools in Year 11 in 2008 as part of the new Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).
Ballajura Community College students say the course has allowed them to express their creativity and it has challenged the way they view photography in society. The course has also given them a solid understanding of photography techniques that will assist them in their aspirations to continue photography or design at TAFEWA or university.
Visual Communication Design teacher Ronnie Moore said the new course is quite different to the former photography course because it has less emphasis on the technical component of photography and more emphasis on visual literacy.
(left to right) Steph Adams, Juliette Ferre and Natasha Nielsen-Milbourn.
“In the new course, students don’t just explore photography, but they also explore the thoughts and feelings they experience from viewing the photographs,” Mr Moore said.
“In the previous, more technical course I had more male students in my class and now the course is more creative, it has attracted a lot more female students.”
Mr Moore said the former photography course needed to change and the new emphasis on visual literacy was a positive development.
“Visual literacy skills can be transferred to a lot of different areas including graphic and web design,” he said.
“When the Visual Communication Design course is offered to schools in Year 11 in 2008, I hope it will be a successful marriage between the practical and theoretical components of photography.
“I have enjoyed being part of the action research for the new course and I have been impressed with how motivated my students have been. I have also been surprised at the high quality of work my students have produced. It has been work I would have expected to see at the end of Year 12 rather than at the beginning of Year 11.”
Students Natasha Nielson-Milbourn (16), Steph Adams (16) and Juliette Ferre (15) all agreed the new course was interesting and challenging. It provided learning opportunities that led to a variety of study and career options.
Work sample featuring the work of Natasha Nielsen-Milbourn.
Natasha, who plans to continue her photography studies at TAFEWA, said the new Visual Communication Design course was her favourite course because it offered an opportunity to be creative and express yourself.
Steph, who plans to study either art, journalism, public relations or politics at university, said the course provided students with a detailed introduction to photography.
“We also learned about communication theory and how everyone reads a message in a different way,” she said.
Curriculum Council Vocational Education and Training (VET) curriculum officer, Suzanne Seinor, said the teachers involved in action research for the new Visual Communication Design course had provided valuable feedback, which has contributed to the refinement of the course.
“Teachers involved in the action research were very enthusiastic about the new course and they reported that, overall, their students responded positively,” Ms Seinor said.
Photography students at Ballajura Community College have consistently performed well in the Department of Education and Training’s ‘Young Originals’ exhibition. The exhibition is designed to recognise up-and-coming artistic talent.
- The Visual Communication Design course subsumes the following subjects: Graphics Technology, Visual Communication – Photography, Technical Graphics, SWL Design, Digital Media, Interactive Media, and Art and Design. Visual communication forms for the course include — but are not restricted to — graphic design, multi/interactive media, fashion, advertising, product design, interior/landscape design, architecture and photography.
For further information, contact Ronnie Moore at Ballajura Community College: (08) 9262 7777.
