
To create a positive learning environment for the visual learners in my class I will do demonstrations, hand out color coded outlines, show videos and pass around pictures.
we have air valves and other components that i pass around and have the students handle in class. they are also cut away so they can see the internal parts of the components
I like to have the projector on and have the students look at my work as well as working on their own. This way they can also check me to make sure that I have filled out things correctly. Walking them through the steps, and expounding on certain parts of it, seems to work pretty well for me.
Putting together a good presentation is a good strategy. I use Power Point quite a bit. I use colored and bright slides. I also pull in cartoons and skits containing the subject material. That not only helps to ease the tension but draws in the student by using humor.
Hi Amanda - Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree -students do really benefit from our sharing our experiences with the concepts we are teaching. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Hi Damien - Thanks for your post to the forum. It does take extra time and creativity to make our lessons more engaging, but our students really appreciate our efforts! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
With most of our content on power point I find that making the power poit a bit more explosive fun not only for the student but for myself as well. I will add color, sound and other effects that are funny and entertaining to keep the atmosphere relaxed. i find this most useful with "boring" subject matter.
With the course I teach I find a combination of videos and watching other classmates seems to help my visual learners best. Once they see how to perform a skill they understand and are able to do it without a second thought. When it comes to lecture I try to give them scenarios from my past expirience in the feild and "paint a picture" if you will so they can visualize real life expirience on the job.
Hi Joan - thanks for sharing some really fun ideas! Your students must really enjoy your classes! Susan
When I was teaching high school students, one method of test review I used was to create a PowerPoint presentation that reviewed important information from the lesson. I used a series of questions that I would have students try to answer. After listening to ideas from the class, I would press the button for the next slide where the correct answer would be revealed in a humorous format. Sometimes I would use TV characters or cartoon characters to bring in the correct answer. Making a fun game out of a humdrum review helps all kinds of learners remember the information for the test.
Hi Douglas - Thanks for your post to the forum. I agree that too many instructors overuse lecture and Powerpoint. A sure formula for sleeping students! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
With visual learners I find pictures that realte to my discussion. I also make grafts with information from the lecture that is visually easy to follow.
Visual learners in a group can allow the opportunity for an instructor to think out of the box. Although on all occasions such strategies should be considerations, they are ofter not as instructors utilize a few applications at a given time. Challenges with time, skill sets or resources can be issues.
For instructors to work with what they have and add to the current methods strategies with presentations such as those available through technology like YouTube or Blackboard applications are ideal. For assignments and assessment material highlighting, annotations, graphics or charts are also appropriate.
I personally use Power Point lectures with lots of illustrations about the materials. I also have power point presentations I have prepared to highlight current events. I teach Environmental Science and there has been much in the news lately like the Gulf Oil spill, earthquakes, floods and tornadoes.
I think that incorporating different strategies throughout a lesson is effective. I have experienced too much lecture in my professional career and too much powerpoint. I think that there needs to be a blend. I enjoy incorporating video into my lectures whenever possible..
Hi RK - Thanks for sharing some excellent ideas for visual learners! Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Strategies for visual learners may include but not be limited to the following:
Technology Strategy: Incorporate mediated presentations such as animated documentarys
Lecturing Strategy: Break up lecture format; allow for group and reflective discussions
Assessment Stragegy: Encourage presentations or demonstrations versus written testing. With written exams provide visual cues, highlights and/or graphics
Reading Recommendations: Encourage students refer to charting, graphs or informational displays via the text or web resources
Hi Almitra- Thanks for your post to the forum. Your aids for visual learners are great. I agree that printing out the Powerpoints in the notes mode is great for them to take home. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career. Susan
Bring in props, pictures, actual items. Powerpoints work well and can be taken home so that the student can refer back to it when studying.
Visual learners prefer to recieve new information by sight. I would use graphs, charts and text presentation with bullets. The more visual, the better.