In recent years we have seen the introduction as well as massive development of large-format poster printing technologies used both at home as well as in schools. What used to be confined to design studios and commercial copy shops is now much more accessible to educators.
This promises many new opportunities. Students are now able to render their most creative ideas in large, visually striking formats. Educators are also able to use their machines to assist their students in dissecting and simplifying difficult concepts.
Yet, as we all know, an educational tool is not a pedagogy. Printing should not become an end in itself. It should be a means to an end. The only way to use poster printing machines responsibly is to deeply research visual design as well as its effects on learning.
Printing as a Means to an End
Education shouldn’t be equated to production. That stands true for the production or degrees or any visual outcomes. When a parent enters a classroom and finds multiple posters created by the students, they may immediately reach the conclusion that the students mastered the course. But is that really true?
A study by Raiyn in 2016 suggested that visuals only supported cognition when they were paired with purposeful engagement. In simple terms, this meant that a poster alone doesn’t equate to mastery of subject matter. Only when the poster becomes an integral part of the curriculum does it achieve a purpose.
Thus, students should be involved in the planning, drafting, feedback, as well as revision of the poster itself and the poster should be extremely relevant to the course for it to achieve its purpose.
Helping Students Understand Cost and Waste
It is essential for educators to not just be concerned about delivering the course curriculum but also to teach their students the value of sustainability as well as the dangers of unsustainable use, the consequences of which have a direct impact on their future.
The best way to get this across is by teaching students to differentiate between what is worthy of being printed versus what doesn’t really add any value to the classroom.
Responsible poster printing methods therefore begin with intentionality. Students should be guided to ask: Does this poster advance understanding? Will it contribute to any dialogue in the classroom, clarify concepts, or make theories more accessible to visual learners?
One practical approach is to ask students to submit a short paragraph each time they want to print a poster. This should outline the purpose of their poster, the intended audience, and the unique advantages of this format.
Reducing Working Memory Strain
Allan Paivio’s Dual Coding Theory also provides great support for the use of poster printer machines in the classroom for better learning. This theory basically suggests to educators that reliance on both verbal and non-verbal systems is essential. In short, when students learn information in images as well as through words, retention and recall can improve.
This reduces strain on working memory. When thoughtfully designed, large-format posters support the dual coding theory and help students better understand complicated concepts or those that are difficult to memorize. It allows them to build mental representations that stick to their minds for a much longer time.
Bite-Sized Knowledge
Posters that are produced by poster printer machines, although larger in size that the average poster, can still only hold so much. In a way it encourages students to take complicated and overwhelming ideas and reshape them into much simpler formats.
In a classroom filled with students, all coming from different backgrounds, having varying IQs, and learning styles, the main challenge is ensuring that everyone is able to access material in a way that makes sense to them. One powerful solution presents itself in the form of peer-to-peer explanation.
A student who is able to grasp a particular concept well is able to break it down into a poster. This allows others to benefit from the simple and clear visuals, turning poster printer machines into a tool that helps classmates who might struggle with difficult concepts.
Final Thoughts
When poster printer machines are used with real purpose they can assist teachers and support practical learning. They allow students to remember information through visuals and teach them how they can express their ideas clearly and simply.
If we treat poster printers as just a classroom gimmick we might miss its value. But if we use it thoughtfully we can teach students how to share knowledge in ways that last.
