I recently read a keynote address delivered at the 2010 conference of the BioCommunications Association. It was given by Domenic Screnci, Executive Director for Educational Media & Technology at Boston University. In his address he reflected on the field of biocommunication and how biocommunicators each rely upon a unique set of skills that took them years to acquire.
Everyone reading this is involved in biocommunication in one way or another and we all have an interest in using visual forms of communication. In his presentation, Screnci (2010) reflects upon the many jobs he had that contributed to his becoming a medical photographer. This made me wonder… How did we all get here? How did we become biocommunicators with a keen interest in plants and imagery?
I thought I would pose this question in this week’s teaching and learning column.
Let’s talk. I’ll start…
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In hindsight, I can now see that my experiences as a biocommunicator began 30 years ago when I worked in a college zoology lab. I used to travel to classrooms with the animals and give naturalist talks. This was followed by teaching experiences in K-8 classrooms and in college classrooms. My graduate research made me more aware of how people learn and how they make meaning. Wrap these experiences up with explorations into authentic interests such as cartography, children’s literature, books, plants, history, botanical illustration, journalism, informal education and other life experiences and you get AP.
How did you become a biocommunicator?
Briefly share your story. Please provide at least your first name so we know how to address you. You don’t have to post your last name.
Literature Cited
Screnci, Domenic. 2010. Darwin and the Survival of the BioCommunicator. Journal of BioCommunication. 36(2): E57-E63
ArtPlantae Today 
I’m not much of a biocommunicator because I’m talking mostly to myself about the plants I paint as an amateur botanical artist. But often enough a painting might lead to a discussion among friends and family about the plant itself–so perhaps I am a biocommunicator. And I’ve organized botanical art exhibits to promote the art form–and native plants–among the public. I got started by seeing a botanical art exhibit when I was about to retire, and I was hooked.
Joyce, you are communicating and teaching through your art. Thank you for your comments.
I agree with Joyce. I will never forget the thrill I had when I realized why one little orchid I was drawing had a virtual “runway” on its lip. It was to guide ants to its pollination features. It was a ground orchid and it made such sense.
I think that drawing can be “discovery”. The quality of the exploration depends on the complexity of the questions we ask ourselves. For example, how does a particular ecology affect me? It is probably the most important question for any learner. For me, that simple observation brought to my attention the miraculous nature of evolution.
“How does a particular ecology affect me?” I like that comment, Dr. MJZ.