Visual literacy education for improving inclusion. Ideas for democratic education.

Abstract

In an increasingly complex society, designing flexible and inclusive educational and training paths, able to take any differences into account and recognise them, is crucial. In this regard, school plays a crucial role. School, in fact, allows to promote practices aimed at enhancing divergent and outdated points of view, focusing on differences as the key to democratic society. This perspective highlights the pedagogical importance of visual literacy education. From an educational point of view, in particular, picturebooks – tools considered as inclusive due to the polysemic nature of their texts – promote freedom of expression and help to improve the ability to listen, as well as basic hermeneutical skills, which are so important for the critical and conscious exercise of citizenship.