Seeing is Believing: Visual Learners Rejoice

"Learning is always rebellion... Every bit of new truth discovered is revolutionary to what was believed before." -Margaret Lee Runbeck

I consider myself to be a visual learner. I think in terms of pictures and I need to mentally see a word to figure out how to spell it. I love graphic organizers. Rewriting and reorganizing information helps me remember things. For my students who are also visual learners: I've got your back.

Some learning strategies that I may take into account when working with a visual learner include the need to have order when learning. The word "order" can definitely be "in the eye of the beholder." Order to one student may seem like disorder to others--but because we all learn differently, we, as teachers, should encourage students to discover how things make sense to them. Charts are great for creating connections, seeing patterns, and grouping ideas. Using tools such as Inspiration or bubbl.us would be ideal for visual learners. The flexibility of these programs allow not only for brainstorming, but showing connections between different ideas, including pictures, and helping to make information make sense.

Using images in lessons can be incredibly useful, as well as showing how something works rather than just telling. Not only can images in PowerPoint presentations be fun and engaging with students, if they are used properly they can also help create connections and meaning for students. Additionally, teachers should use realia to help make information applicable and meaningful for students as well.

When working with ELLs, I would definitely emphasize the importance of using visuals, especially if your students have low English proficiency. Providing images allows students to create associations between words and meaning, and can help with literacy skills. Because ELLs must keep up with content while learning the language, visuals can help students organize and understand information even if the student does not yet have advanced language skills. Visuals such as graphs, charts, images, concept maps, and graphic organizers can provide scaffolds for ELLs and other students to help them succeed in the classroom.