The visual-response method and the child’s understanding of the ethical message of a literary text

Kristina Šrot and Matjaž Duh in Metka Kordigel Aberšek

Summary:  In this article, we present the visual-response method (VRM), which has been used as a didactic approach to assess a child’s understanding of the ethical message of a literary text using visual interactions. We tested the suitability of the VRM using a fairy tale titled The Story of Caiman as an example. Although it is a fairy tale from a foreign civilization and a very old text, the ethical message of the fairy tale is more relevant today, when humanity is confronted with the consequences of rampant encroachment on nature, than ever before in history. We have observed a child’s ability to understand the message of the fairy tale (nature (thicket animals/jackal) cannot trust humans) within the interdisciplinary combination of literary education and visual arts. Moreover, we proved that it is possible to use aesthetically designed speeches as didactic approaches (methods) to externalise pupils’ dialogue with the literary text in such a connection. Finally, the results of the case study showed that when an adult (teacher) uses the visual-response method, they can communicate with a child about his literary-aesthetic experience before communicating with words about whether they understood the ethical message.