Visual Literacy Strategy - Why not?

This chapter is set within the field of secondary design and technology (DandT) education. It takes as its theoretical perspective the notion of 'visual literacy' - a concept drawn from the field of art and design education. Its original contribution is in advocating the explicit teaching of visual literacy within DandT contexts, taking as its analogy the UK government's National Literacy Strategy which aims to break down the components of literacy and develop each separately. The work originally appeared as an article in the Journal of Design and Technology Education; an indication of its significance is that the editor invited a contribution to the book which constitutes a standard text for secondary DandT teacher education. Its rigour lies in the depth of its analysis of the notion of 'visual literacy'. It was reviewed by the editor.