I have found over the past 17 years of teaching and tutoring a very common learning style that students respond to is visual learning. Everyone has a preferred learning style, but I have noticed that ‘visual learning style’ is very effective especially for students with learning difficulties.
Visual learning is a type of learning style in which students prefer to use images, graphics, colours and maps to communicate ideas. Visual learners must see information in order to retain it.
Some effective strategies that students can use:
- Students can make graphic representations of their school notes and textbook information. Mind maps are particularly popular. A mind map is a diagram for representing words, concepts and items that are linked to a central/key concept. It is used to visually organise information showing relationships among pieces of a whole.
- Colour coding of notes, use highlighters to distinguish concepts, definitions and examples.
- Flash cards with visuals alongside definitions and key concepts.
- Educational apps that cater to visual learners can also be effective
- Visual mnemonics can also be effective. They can be used to remember complex information. This can be presented in many ways for example, images, symbols or acronyms
- Create visual timelines especially for subjects such as History.
- Appropriate educational videos. These are particularly useful as they contain visual and auditory elements.