Do you learn best by seeing things? If so, you are a visual learner! Visual learners comprise about 65% of the population, and there are many advantages to being one. In this blog post, we will discuss what visual learning is, the benefits of being a visual learner, and how to be a visual learner. We will also explore some common visual learning strategies that can help you succeed in school or in your career.
What is a Visual Learner?
A visual learner is someone who learns best by seeing things. This includes both seeing things with your own eyes and visualizing things in your mind. It was first described in a 1992 scientific study by Fleming and Mills.
Visual learners often prefer to learn by looking at pictures, diagrams, or videos rather than by reading text. They may also prefer to take notes using symbols or colour-coding instead of writing out full sentences.
Common traits of visual learners include:
- preferring to read or watch lectures instead of taking notes
- doodling during class or meetings
- being able to picture things in your mind
- having a strong imagination
- able to understand projects as a hole
Advantages of Being a Visual Learner
There are many advantages to being a visual learner. One benefit is that visual learners tend to remember things better than people who learn in other ways. This is because the visuals provide another way to remember the information, in addition to the words. For example, if you are trying to remember the names of all 50 states, it may be helpful to look at a map of the United States. The shapes and colours of the states will provide additional information that you can use to remember them.
Another advantage of being a visual learner is that you often learn new things more quickly. This is because visuals can give you a better understanding of complicated concepts than words alone. For example, if you are trying to learn about the solar system, a diagram of the planets orbiting the sun will help you understand how it works much better than reading a description.
A final advantage of being a visual learner is that visuals can make dry or boring topics more interesting. If you are having trouble paying attention to a lecture on history, for example, looking at pictures of the events being discussed can help you stay engaged.
Visual Learning Strategies
If you are a visual learner, there are several strategies that you can use to learn more effectively. You can check out our full list of study habits here:
- Use visual aids such as pictures, diagrams, and maps to help you understand and remember information.
- During lectures, look around and at other people and professors. This approach will assist you in staying focused.
- Highlight important words and phrases in bright colours.
- Draw pictures to help you understand complex concepts.
- Take notes using symbols, pictures, or colour-coding instead of writing out full sentences.
- Try to read or watch lectures instead of just taking notes.
- Use mind mapping to create a visual representation of the information you are trying to learn.
- Find pictures or videos online to help make dry or boring topics more interesting.
Visual Learning Strategies for Teachers
If you are a teacher, there are several strategies that you can use to cater to the needs of visual learners:
- Use visual aids such as pictures, diagrams, and maps when presenting information.
- Encourage students to take notes using symbols or pictures.
- Provide opportunities for students to draw pictures or create mind maps.
- Assign projects that require students to create videos or presentations.
- Use coloured chalk or whiteboards to write down important information.
- Show pictures or videos alongside the text when assigning readings.
- Use handouts.
- Limit the number of distractions in the classroom.
Other Learning Styles
In total there are three main learning styles that students will fall under. For a holistic view of all learning styles click here. Alternatively, if you’re interested in an in-depth analysis of any of the following learning styles, click the link below: