Picture this – how illustrations enhance learning
Learning through illustration is a long-established tradition, given that drawings and pictures have been used to inform and educate since the dawn of time. And, as our digital learning technology evolves, illustrations for education are no less relevant and applicable.
At the University, illustrations remain a key component in digital pedagogy, enhancing the student learning experience and promoting inclusivity.
The Digital Design team – led by Alice Clayton – create bespoke graphics and illustrations that are used on platform, and within interactive exercises, videos, and animations. Alongside the ability to reach a broad spectrum of learners, this kind of digital content is especially useful for explaining and simplifying complex topics.
Alien assistance
The team recently developed a series of digital illustrations for the online Data Science (Statistics) Masters, a course that enables learners to develop skills such as data acquisition, data modelling, and evaluating missing data.
To help students understand an approach to probability known as ‘Bayesian Statistics’, a series of digital illustrations were created depicting alien life forms navigating uncertainty on a new planet.
These illustrations were made into short animation videos showing the alien observing life on earth. Clips of the alien watching a sunrise and observing hill walkers using a compass demonstrated how predictions can be made based on the evidence available.
It was a pleasure working with Digital Education colleagues to create these animations, which were evaluated highly by the module reviewer. I was impressed by the responsiveness to my feedback throughout the process, and I truly appreciate the effort that went into perfecting the final videos. Support from the Learning Designer was invaluable in helping to capture my academic perspective through Digital Design team's technical expertise.
– Sofya Titarenko (Lecturer in the School of Mathematics)
Inclusive illustrations
Depictions of extraterrestrials may be relatively straightforward to create, but more nuance is required when it comes to illustrating the inhabitants of our own planet.
The immediacy and universal appeal of illustrative imagery make it an ideal medium for highlighting and celebrating inclusivity.
The aim of these illustrations is to instil the idea that everyone can feel represented, in whatever course they take, whichever events they attend, and in every job role. Inclusivity doesn’t just stop it has to keep evolving, so we’ll continue to learn and develop these characters further, taking on board user feedback.
– Alice Clayton, Digital Design Manager
Before developing the online Disability Studies, Rights and Inclusion MSc, a review of representations in stock images was conducted, which were found to be biased and prone to misconceptions.
In response, the Digital Design team consulted with academics and students from the course, who advised on appropriate ways to depict different impairments.
The team then created a large library of illustrated characters, representing a range of ages, cultures, gender expressions, disabilities, and body sizes.
Featuring more than 300 bespoke illustrated characters, the images can now be used across all courses and marketing materials.
