Visual Dictionaries Revisited

Extract:
"What is Visual Dictionary (Literacy Teaching Tools)? Visual dictionaries are a way for students to synthesize all of their newly gained knowledge into one organized and categorized whole. You can use this on a fairly low key level, like the sample included in this packet, or as an end-of-unit assessment. Regardless, students create their own categories for the major events, concepts, and people from your unit. Their visual, writing, reading, summarizing, and synthesizing skills are all used to come up with the finished product – something few tests, if any, will ever accomplish to quite this level."(Source: canyonsdistrict.org)**

One reviewer's insight is far more sufficient to guide us in detecting what is visual and what is simply called as, visual. Reviewing Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science, David Pressman, said:

"Contrary to its title, the Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science is not basically a visual dictionary of the type that can be used to find the names of things from their pictures. I think it is not a dictionary at all. Rather it is a condensed, highly illustrated encyclopedia of science."***

What do the reviewers say about the following:
From School Library Journal: Ultimate Visual Dictionary:
YA-A beautiful dictionary that uses more than 6,000 full-color photographs, illustrations, and cross sections to explore most aspects of the natural world: the universe, prehistoric Earth, architecture, and much more. (Source: Amazon.com)

From Library Journal: FIREFLY Five Language Visual Dictionary
Richer and more detailed than DK's similar Five-Language Visual Dictionary, this brilliant work is essential for students of any of these languages, lovers of language, and any library supporting a language program or multilingual patrons.

From Booklist: Ultimate Visual Dictionary / Merriam-Webster's Visual Dictionary:
If a library has to choose, it's the difference between stilettos and sensible shoes. DK is sexier, but Merriam-Webster, with its clear illustrations and added definitions, is probably a better educational tool.



** What is visual dictionary?

***Ultimate Visual Dictionary of Science, David Pressman.