Visual Learning - Techniques to Improve Learning

Eric Langhorst

8th Grade American HistoryLiberty, Missouri

FacultyPark University“Technology forthe Classroom”

What is visuallearning style?

prefer using images, pictures, colors, and maps to organize information and communicate with others, you can easily visualize objects, plans and outcomes in your mind’s eye

Using a visual can:

•Help introduce a topic

•Start a discussion

•Spark a question

Harvard Department of Education Resources

Thinking Routines can be used with images or topics

Project ZeroVisible Thinking

Visual TechniquesSee – Think – Wonder

•What do you see?

•What do you think about that?

•What does it make you wonder?

Visual TechniquesExplanation Game

•I notice that...

•Why is it that way?

Or

•Why did it happen that way?

Visual TechniquesNewspaper Headlines

1. If you were to write a headline for this image that captured the most important aspect that should be remembered, what would that headline be?

Classroom IdeasGraphic Novels / Comics

•Allowing students to read graphic novels

•create comics or graphic novels

http://plasq.com/comiclife

Classroom IdeasGraphic Organizers

•Help students organize their thoughts and ideas

•Can be done as an individual or group

Classroom IdeasWorksheet Works Graphic

Organizers

Classroom IdeasVisual Timelines

Classroom IdeasWordle

Free online application takes a text selection and creates a visual image based on frequency, color and size font

Abraham Lincoln - Gettysburg Address

John Lennon – Lyrics to Imagine

President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address

Star-Spangled Banner – All Four Verses

Classroom IdeasFlickr Toys

Free online application which allows you to make trading cards, magazine covers, etc.

Classroom IdeasPicturing America

Set of photos from many eras of American history – large and laminated prints

Classroom IdeasCommon Craft Videos

Videos which use graphics and animation to explain a concept or tell a story

Finding ImagesFlickr Storm

An online tool which allows you to search for images on Twitter and create collections for your students

Visual learning study tips

•Make flashcards of key information that needs to be memorized

•Draw symbols and pictures on the cards to facilitate recall


•Mark up the margins of your textbook with key words, symbols, and diagrams that help you remember the text


•When learning mathematical or technical information, make charts to organize the information


•Use highlighter pens of contrasting colors to "color code" the information


•Ask the teacher to diagram

•As much as possible, translate words and ideas into symbols, pictures, and diagrams


•Use highlighter pens of contrasting colors to "color code" the information

Eric Langhorst8th Grade American HistorySouth Valley Jr. High School

Liberty, Missouri

[email protected]

Twitter : elanghorstSkype : elanghorst


Liberty, Missouri

[email protected]


“The source and center of all man's creative power. . . is his power of making images, or the power of imagination.”

- Robert Collier


Liberty, Missouri

[email protected]
