A picture is worth .......
Graphic organizers are also useful as a non-verbal communication device. While I would be remiss if I did not shed a tear for the fact that visual communication is (in part) responsible for the lowering of reading and writing skills, it is also undeniable that a picture is worth a thousand words, if it lends to instant understanding of the concept at hand. In a course that has a high volume of new material, the idea that a picture or graphic can communicate instantly what would take 100 - 500 words ... it is not only a valuable tool for learning, but a welcome time saver in the process of learning new material.
Visual association is the foundation of the welding trade. It is the repeated hand, eye skill testing that improves the students skill level. Once the student has the repeated experience, it like it is never forgotten much like the bike.
I a very visual as a learner myself but also try to access students learning styles to help illustrate concepts
Richard,
Great resource and it seems with not limitations on the number of videos that are available for instructors to use.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One tool I like to use from time to time is "u-tube". I can find short video's on the content we are studying, to show students the relevance to what we are doing or how something works before we go to the lab for a hands on session.
As a drafting instructor, pictures are worth much more than a thousand words. My profession is all about pictures and drawings. Pictures and other visual aides are necessary in my lectures to teach a new concept or a new skill. Students enjoy seeing how the things that are shown to them or the things they are drawing relate to the world outside the classroom.
Tammy,
Thanks for sharing this example with us. We need to always remember to check our presentations to make sure we are conveying both the message and the support content as we want it to be.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sonja,
Students really like graphics as they help hold their interest as well as explain the concept being taught. So the more graphics you can share the more engaged they will be. Keep up the good work.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This is very true. I made this mistake in class before not realizing that my teacher edited powerpoint and the one the students had access to on-line was very different.
I make sure there are pictures in my Power Point presentations, the students say it helps them remember the information. I think it also holds their attention and keeps them interested in the subject matter.
Charles,
Opportunities to see relevance and application in the content is a must for students. When only words are used then they start to drift away and not focus on the value of the content being shared. This is an important factor to remember as we do our instructional planning.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have taken parts of their book that explain how something is done. Lecture on it then show them a slide show of pictures of how a do it in the field. Then ask them, is this what you pictured during the lecture? And the answer is always no.
pictures that pertain to the topic tend to be very effective.
Jeff,
Good observation and one that other instructors need to remember as they prepare their PowerPoints and supporting handouts.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I find it important that the power point has the same visual information as their handout if it doesent look the same they may not make the connection.
Daniel,
This has been my experience as well. Graphic organizers help the students to visual segments and then the finish product. Thank you for sharing your experience with graphic organizers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This statement is very true. Students in engineering and science majors heavily utilize graphic organizers to record their notes, as they also are very effective on showing the integration among the concepts.
I teach in a Game Production department and have found it best to present course content in a variety of ways, both written and visual. As most of all my students are visual learners they respond, almost too well to visual stimulus. Example: if I'm explaining a new concept for a game and show them an example from a current game the discussion will become about that game and not the concept.
If you hand a student a picture they will look at it for a few seconds. If you hand them a sheet of paper with a thousand words on it they know you mean business.
Michael,
Visual learning is such a big part of the total learning experience that we need to incorporate is every where we can. I think many instructors overlook the impact of visual learning because it is easier to just talk (lecture) about something. With a little effort it is not hard to put together a graphic presentation that involves multiple senses and increases the content retention factor significantly.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Seems obvious to me (with all respect), based on the theory that most students are visual learners, that a picture is worth not just a thousand words but several concepts as well. I make liberal use of graphics, flow charts, and the like when I teach computer courses. I also ask the students' forgiveness when I hand-draw my pictures; the groans and laughs I get when they see my "artwork" provide a bit of reassurance for them as well.
