How to use visual learning to learn effectively

Importance of Visual Learning

The majority of students in this generation of technology and change are visual learners. They learn information best by seeing it in an example format, like a picture, map, graph, or video. These students are excellent at visualizing objects, plans and outcomes in a spatial sense, and enjoy drawing out their answers in different colors to explain their thought process.

Although visual learning is typically not developed in most school systems, it can be an extremely useful tool. Once accessed, here are 7 ways visual learning can be immensely beneficial.

Allows the student to look at problems differently in a way they will understand. For example, a student may not be grasping a concept in math using numbers, but once they visualize the same concept in picture format they will understand right away and then convert their answer back to numerical form if needed.

Increases student memory of important information. Students of all ages are far more likely to remember visuals rather than words. This technique will help increase not only their memory of school work, but also of faces, directions, etc.

Builds the students understanding of the “big picture”. They will become increasingly better at overviews and summaries, and be able to visualize results.

Inspire students. Students will start to think in a far more creative, open minded way and soon they will start to create new ideas of their own.

Build the tools to make students more organized. Spatial and visual learners are more likely to organize not only their work, but in their everyday lives in terms of scheduling and appearance.

Help students learn more effectively. In a visual format students can process and retain information much faster and with more reliability. Visuals break down information into manageable pieces that are easier to absorb.

Increase the student’s interest in the subject matter. When the student gets to learn in a way that they like and understand, they will pay closer attention and the results will be more obvious.

Parents should encourage visual learning as much as possible. Some ways to expand this type of learning are to look for opportunities to work with, manipulate and/or engage new material. Take advantage of visual resources like a computer, three-dimensional models, illustrations in books or textbooks, etc. The biggest advantage is keeping the student interested and motivated to learn in a way they enjoy. Have fun creating new ways keep learning interactive!

Written Materials Along With Charts, Pictures and Other Visual Aids

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• M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Florida
• B.A., History, University of Florida

Every classroom contains students with varying styles of learning. While most people can use any of the three primary styles — auditory, visual and kinesthetic — to learn information, their dominant style reflects their preferred form of instruction and easiest means of assimilating new knowledge. Teachers with a basic understanding of the three main styles can adapt their lessons to give all students the best chance of success.

Visual Learners

The typical visual learner prefers to read information in a textbook or on a whiteboard rather than listen to a lecture. Visualization techniques help them remember things. They often enjoy doodling and drawing and can use this practice as a study tool.

Visual learners tend to use sight words in their everyday terminology. For example, they might say, “Let’s take a look at this.” They easily remember details including colors and spatial arrangements, and they excel at memory games that require visual recall. They often have a good sense of direction because they can visualize maps and directions in their mind.

Key Learning Methods for Visual Learners

Visual learners learn best when they can see the material being taught. They follow instructions better when they can see a demonstration first, rather than just be told how to do something. Visual learners typically prefer images, maps, graphs and other visual representations to other forms of instruction. They like to read.

Ways to Adapt Lessons for Visual Learners

Include diagrams, mind maps, word webs, visuals and other forms of graphic organizers to help visual learners get the most from your instruction. Accompany oral instructions with a written recap before requiring students to complete an assignment. Further, avoid lecturing without accompanying notes and/or visuals.

Ways for Visual Learners to Adapt Instruction to Their Style

Students inevitably encounter teachers whose styles of instruction differ from their own learning preference. Visual learners can take control of their learning experience with techniques that adapt varying teaching methods to their visual strengths. For example, students can use highlighters when they review their notes, organize information into outlines and use flashcards to study for tests. Visual learners may also find that if they include images, mind maps, lists and other visual techniques in their notes, they more easily remember key information.

Understanding The Power Of Visuals: The Advantages Of Visual Learning

Which of the following will appeal to a student more?

• Textual description of a chemical process.
• A video or pictorial representation of that chemical process.

A majority will learn better with the second option. It’s simply because visuals hold more appeal than plain text to those curious and intuitive young minds.

Till date, several studies have been conducted which prove the power of visual aids in eLearning. And there are some interesting results drawn from them. Such as, learners respond to visual information faster as compared to text only materials. Also, visuals help improve learning tremendously and on multiple levels. Hence, around 65% of the population comprises visual learners.

There are several advantages of visual aids. Let’s learn what they are to help you better understand the power of visuals in eLearning:

1. Help Store Information Longer

Images are the simplest and the most effective way to make sure that the information gets stored as a long-term memory. As per Dr. Lynell Burmark, an education consultant, our short term memory processes words and can only retain about seven bits of information. Whereas, images are directly processed by our long-term memory, where they get indelibly etched.

2. Make Communication Quicker And Simpler

Information listed in bullets is no doubt simpler to process. But, that same information in the form of an image or a video is processed even more quickly. As per the Visual Teaching Alliance –

• Of all the information transmitted to brain, 90% is visual.
• As opposed to text, visuals are processed 60,000x faster.
• Humans are capable of getting the sense of a visual scene in less than 1/10th of a second.
• 40% of nerve fibres are linked to the retina.
• Our brain can see images that last for only 13 milliseconds.
• Human eye can register 36,000 visual messages every hour.

Hence, the eLearning programs which incorporate suitable visuals gain a higher preference over the text-only ones.

3. Aid Better Comprehension

Visuals help learners grasp concepts easily by stimulating imagination and affecting their cognitive capabilities. Besides, the visual language is also known to have the potential to stretch ‘human bandwidth’ – which comprises absorbing, comprehending and analysing new information. For example, the infographic below represents how we are pre-wired to automatically interpret relationships between objects which ensures instant comprehension with almost zero effort:

4. Act As Stimulators For Emotions

Emotions and visual information are processed in the same part of the human brain. Visual stimuli and emotional response are linked in a simple way and these two together generate what we call memories. Hence, powerful images and visual metaphors create strong impressions and lasting memories in learners.

5. Drive Motivation

Most of the students struggle with some of their subjects because they find them uninteresting and hence lack the motivation to put in the required efforts. Visuals are the best bet in such scenarios. Captivating images, engaging videos, interesting info graphics, etc. help learners fight the boredom and motivate them to do better.

6. Unsuitable Visuals Equals Unhappy Learners

The positive aspects of visuals hold true only when they are used appropriately. The quality and relevance of visuals matter a lot. Say for example, you have the most meaningful images, charts and videos which make your online tutorial way better than those of your competitors. But, if the images are of low resolution or pixelated, they fail to solve their purpose and the learner loses interest. Apart from poor quality, if the visual aids are generic in nature and fail to explain the subject in a specific and clear way, it will not appeal to the learners.

The images which will add value to your course material and actually help the learners should meet the following requirements:

• Simplify the difficult-to-understand and text heavy topics.
• Explain using actual people, places, or objects.
• Help the learners connect the familiar materials with the unfamiliar.

Hence, the key is to treat visuals like power boosters for your eLearning courses. If irrelevant they can cause distractions from the actual topic and in worst case scenarios, put off your audience. But, if used effectively, it can add value to your online tutorials and draw more learners to your online education platform.