The Visual Learning Style

Collective Learning - By Lindsay Benitez

Visual learners use a combination of pictures, colors, maps, and images to communicate with others, organize, and retain information. Approximately 65% of the population is made up of visual learners. They incorporate visual media and imagery to help in the learning process. A visual learner will understand information more thoroughly when it is presented with a picture or chart.

Drawing, making outlines, and color-coding will significantly help visual learners as they process and learn new information. They are great at seeing the big picture in both complex and simple systems. Visual learners often perform best on assessments that include diagramming, outlining essays, interpreting maps, and showing a process.

Some characteristics of a visual learner include: remembering where information was located on a page, preferring a quiet place to study, benefitting from recopying notes, detail-oriented, organized and tidy, and preferring written instructions to oral ones.

The following are examples of techniques to consider when utilizing the visual learning style:

Visual words: Use color, various layouts, and spatial organization with your word associations.

Mind maps: Use vivid colors and pictures in the place of text; draw a map of events or processes to represent words.

System diagrams: Create links between different parts of a system; replace words with images and color-code significant links.

Visual journey: This story technique aids in visualizing content that is not easily pictured in your head.

Using these visual techniques as you learn and teach others will help with the learning process.