Visuals provide even the earliest of learners with methods for engaging and interacting with material. Teachers can capitalize on this universal language by utilizing visuals as part of their learning materials and workflows. By introducing emoji as a vehicle for navigation, students of any level can identify material and work through tasks with confidence.
How does the template work?
The Numbers template below shows this practice across a variety of content areas using 6 Sheets. The initial, or "home" sheet, has all of the emoji that are being used to represent academic areas paired with text reinforcing their connection. Each emoji is linked to the dedicated Sheet for which it is associated. Once the learner is at the appropriate Sheet, they see their learning material and activities to complete.
How can students navigate content with emoji?
The most important aspect of this practice is to establish norms with your students. Decide on critical areas, consistent topics, or content that appears frequently in the learning environment. After deciding this, find some emoji that relate to those concepts and are also recognizable to help facilitate their connection to the material.
Practice modeling with students
Facilitate the connection with the chosen images by practicing and modeling with students. When engaging with these materials, use the words out loud; "We are working on Math Facts so let's find our brain" or, "Its time for our Enrichment activity so we need or puzzle piece." Modeling with students help facilitate the connections and empowers students to identify and internalize those connections.
Universal Access
This method can be utilized in any platform or application that has access to emoji. The sample illustrates the use in Numbers but this method is adaptable to not only other applications but other focus areas. For example, perhaps the document focuses entirely on Literacy. In this instance, the Sheets and emojis would represent various activities, lessons, or units that are frequently visited regarding Literacy curriculum (100 Book, Fundations, Heggerty, Prefixes, Root Words, etc.).
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