VISUAL STORYTELLING AS A SUPPORT FOR CRITICAL THINKING IN THE FRAME OF HERITAGE CONSERVATION SUBJECTS
V. Cristini, L. García Soriano, S. Manzano Fernández, A. Hueto Escobar, F. Vegas López-Manzanares
Visual storytelling appeals to visual and kinesthetic learners, but it also benefits auditory learners if combined with narration, creating a more inclusive learning environment. In this frame the text shows how video making can be a powerful educational tool for students of heritage conservation to document and record heritage sites, under the umbrella of different subjects linked with Architectural Conservation, taught at Technical School of Architecture of Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain. Videos can capture Heritage sites, artifacts, and constructive elements that may be vulnerable to natural decay, human intervention or other risks. This provides a visual record of their original state, which can serve as a reference for conservation projects, in comparison with documents, pictures or other historic resources. Students can create virtual tours of heritage sites that allow a broader audience to experience these sites remotely. This can be particularly helpful for inaccessible or special locations with also problems of accessibility. Video making requires collaboration among students, which can help them develop teamwork and communication skills that are valuable in the field of heritage conservation, where multidisciplinary efforts are common. Videos often can serve as part of a student’s portfolio, showcasing their ability to analyze, document, and communicate heritage conservation topics.
Creating visual storytelling requires students to research and deeply understand the subject matter and the process encourages critical thinking and analysis of the importance of preservation, because through videos, students can illustrate the cultural, historical, and architectural significance of heritage sites. Visual storytelling helps contextualize how the site fits into a larger narrative and why it's worth preserving and this process helps them to understand history and culture. When making videos, students often face technical and narrative challenges. These challenges encourage them to think creatively about how to convey complex information in an engaging and accessible way to document heritage sites.
Keywords: Education challenges, video making, kinesthetic learning.