By definition, visual learning is a teaching and learning style in which ideas, concepts, data and other information are associated with images and techniques. Videos posted on Power Learning 21 have the ability to greatly enhance a student’s learning style. You can show the relationship between ideas by linking the graphic cues and words, which helps in clarifying meaning.
In a study entitled Graphic Organizers: A Review of Scientifically Based Research, The Institute for the Advancement of Research in Education at AEL evaluated 29 studies and concluded that visual learning improves student performance in the following areas:
Critical Thinking–Graphic organizers link verbal and visual information to help students make connections, understand relationships and recall related details.
Retention
According to research, students better remember information when it’s represented and learned both visually and verbally.
Comprehension
Students better comprehend new ideas when they are connected to prior knowledge.
Organization
Students can use diagrams to display large amounts of information in ways that are easy to understand and help reveal relationships and patterns.
—————————
There are many different ways that you can approach the design of your video to enhance visual learning. Here are 4 key elements to review when creating your video.
1. Simplicity
On-line course creators sometimes become victims of the “more is better” concept. This is not the best case when developing a course site. Including everything you have or can find on a topic can overwhelm and confuse students. Improper use of fonts, colors, and graphics can also serve as a distraction and hinder the effectiveness of your course. Keeping the content, menu, color and font variations to a minimum can help keep your site design simple.
2. Consistency
Consistency across videos can reduce the load on cognitive processing and prevent content overload. If learning to use a course is a quick and painless process, learners are motivated to continue. Consistencies should include: colors, backgrounds, fonts, headings, and text layout.
Some inconsistencies, if used correctly and infrequently, such as changing text formats can quickly grab a learner’s attention. These might include a highlighted line of text, or an altered color scheme to indicate a change of topic.
3. Personalizing
Personalizing your teacher webpage is also important in order to establish instructor presence, which has been shown to increase student engagement. Some ideas to accomplish this
- Add a course banner
- Add a personal picture within “Staff (Faculty) Information”
- Add personal audio clips conveying reinforcement.
4. Design goals
Remember to keep the following goals in mind as you create course content.
Design your content:
- to focus attention
- to avoid visual fatigue and cognitive overload
- for scanning
- to educate and not to impress
- for various learning styles
Check out how you can join in the discussion:
