The Visual Learner
July 28, 2006 by Mary Jo Manzanares
There are three primary learning styles: visual, auditory (verbal) and kinesthetic (tactile). These learning styles impact how you process information, how you communicate information to others, and how you respond and interact within groups. We all have a primary and secondary learning style.
The development of this information came about from a variety of psychological and sociological studies, which I don’t intend to go into here. There are lots of scholarly articles written on this subject, which will go over the research and explain some of the nuances of each learning style.
What I hope to do, however, is to simplistically point out some of the characteristics of each style, and make some suggestions about how to maximize your style when dealing with others. Learning isn’t just about being in the classroom; it’s a lifelong process. And remember, if you are a trainer, you will need to take all the learning styles into account when planning out a training program. The most important, yet difficult, lesson to learn from all this, is that not everyone learns the way that you do.
First up: The Visual Learner
In its most simple explanation, visual learners learn through seeing.
What does this mean? Visual learners need to see body language and facial expressions to fully understand information. They tend to think in terms of pictures in their heads, and find visual aids extremely helpful. In a classroom or training situation, these learners will tend to sit toward the front of a room, where there are no visual obstructions or distractions. They also tend to take copious notes to help them absorb information.
Still not sure if you’re a visual learner?
If you are, you may use words and phrases like:
- I see what you mean.
- I just don’t see it.
- Can you show me what that would look like?
- See if you understand this.
How to enhance your learning skills if you are a visual learner:
- If a lot of reading is involved, use a highlighter to mark passages, or multi-colored pens to take notes in the margins. Annotate any notes in this same way. When reviewing your material, these visuals will appeal to your learning style, and help you process information more efficiently.
- In a classroom or conference setting, select a seat where you have an unobstructed view of the presenter.
- If you need to memorize information, visualize it as a picture.
If you are a trainer, or planning a conference, here are ways to make sure you reach the visual learner:
- Use visual aids in all presentations, including: handouts, diagrams, power point presentations, illustrations, overhead transparencies, flipcharts, and videos.
- Try to move about the room, focusing on every group member, allowing everyone to see your facial expressions and gestures.
- Create words pictures by using creative language to paint a picture of what you are trying to describe or explain.
Remember, the visual learner SEES information.
Next up: The Visual Learner
These styles are a good introduction to get people thinking about learning and so on. I haven’t seen much evidence to support these categories in terms of empirical data? Does any exist?
I know that there have been a number of studies done in this area of learning and communication. I hesitate to point any of them out, because I am not a expert in this area, and cannot evaluate the research methodology involved.
What I do have is lots of anecdotal data. When I first started working in groups, and eventually moving into leadership roles, I found that I tended to communicate and explain in the way that worked for me. I was only marginally successful at communiating what I meant.
When I started learning about the varying learning styles, I could incorporate a variety of techniques into my training programs, and every day communications as well. It worked much better!
I’m an auditory learner, with visual as a secondary style. I can’t stand hands on kinds of things. Learning this information helped me understand some of the reasons why I always hated role playing and acting out training scenarios.
Hi Mary Jo,
Yes, I think that’s the value of this approach. Seeing difference, adapting and knowing what works for some doesn’t work for all. Give my own work around psychometrics and such like, I think its an interesting area to study. I have seen some studies that rebuke the auditory/visual/kinesthetic approach but I wouldn’t be surprised if this has now changed?
I always assume that for every study FOR something, there is one AGAINST it. That’s why I take it all with a huge grain of salt.
What matters most to me, is what works — for me. And if it works for me, it just might work for someone else. I pass information along with that in mind.
hey dis is cyra i am doing sum work on my type of learning as yu know i am a visual learner.i am in the six grade and i am at school rite now…i was jus wondering can yu tell some of the meanigs of an visual learner ,like wat do they do and sum note that they take.ii know that a visual learner is sum 1 that can learn better and faster by watching and seeing
Cyra, I didn’t write this post, so I don’t have a lot of info for you. However, you can find out more at Ask.com http://www.ask.com/web?q=visual+learners&search=&qsrc=0&o=0&l=dir and the Wikipedia entry looks useful
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_learning. I’m sure you can find a lot more by googling “visual learner.” Good luck!
This Web site may be of interest to you.
Thanks, Carole. I’m sure other readers will also appreciate http://www.visualteachingalliance.com/
I believe that a visual learner tends to look out on a salient perspective on charts, maps, and graphs. The reason why I feel this way is because a visual learner can memorize 75% of what they see.
The information above was very helpful for my course work Thank you so much.
could you please write the name of person because we need for refrances, please.
Thank you
I’m sorry, Mahtab, I didn’t write this post and don’t know the sources.