This document discusses integrating comic books into academic settings to teach visual literacy and technical communication. It outlines how comic books have existed since the 1930s in various formats around the world. It also lists some key principles of technical communication that relate to comic books, such as visual design, information design, and audience appeal. Furthermore, it addresses the perceptions of comic books among academics and non-academics and how comics have been incorporated into classrooms to engage students and improve literacy.

1. Comics In The Classroom:
Integrating Comic Books into the Academic Setting to Teach
Visual Literacy and Technical Communication
by Moses Ifamose

2. Comic Books
● Popular since the early 1930’s.
● Exist in different formats in different countries. Also known as manga in
Japan and bande dessinee in France.
● Focuses on all forms of fictional and nonfictional stories, from historical to
science fiction to romance.
● Popular in most facets of society, but not in academics.

3. My Questions
1. Do comic books offer literary benefits?
2. Are there similarities between comic books and technical communication?
3. How much research has been done on how comic books can be integrated
into academic curriculum?
20 articles were chosen out of 36 original articles.
The 20 chosen were the most relevant to my topic.

4. Tech Comm Principles Related to Comic Books
● Visual Design
● Cross Cultural Communication
● Cross Channel Communication
● Information Design
● Audience Appeal
● Data Ink

5. Perception of Comic Books
1. Academic Perception
a. Teachers tend to have a narrow view about comics because most teachers are not familiar
with the medium.
b. Teachers prefer to use historical or old comic strips like Maus and Garfield.
2. Non-academic perception
a. An avid reader has more fun and is more engaged in the medium.

6. How Comics are Taught in the Classroom
1. Incorporated into course material to engage students.
2. Students are encouraged to create their own comic books.
3. Used to teach english to students who speak english as a second language.

7. Benefits of Comics in the Classroom
1. Comprehension of complex material.
2. Critical thinking.
3. Improved literacy.
4. Self identification and social issues.
5. visual literacy
6. multicultural literacy

8. Questions?
1. Do you know any comic books that could be used to enhance literacy?
2. How would you incorporate comic books into the tech comm program?