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6 Study Tips for Visual Learners
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by Kelly Roell
Updated July 26, 2019
Visual Learning is one of the three different learning styles made
famous by Neil D. Fleming in his VAK model of learning. He states that
people who are visual learners need to see new information in order to
truly learn it, hence the need for study tips for visual learners.
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Visual Learner Tips
People who have this trait are often very spatially aware and respond to
things like color, tone, brightness, contrast, and other visual info when
they read, study, and learn. Some also have photographic memories in
various degrees and can not only visualize information after reading it
or seeing it but can recreate it.
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Most people utilize this learning method at least partly throughout their
lives, especially since traditional school is geared toward those visual
learners, but some people would classify themselves as predominantly
visual learners where others would not. If you're one of them, you may
find these things helpful when studying for a test, quiz, midterm, or
final exam.
Since sight is key, visual learners need materials in front of them to help
get the information fully committed to memory. Capitalize on this
learning style with simple tips.
Color Code
Assign colors to common themes in your notes, textbook, and handouts.
For instance, if you're studying vocabulary words for a test, highlight all
of the nouns in yellow, all of the verbs in blue and all of the adjectives in
pink. You'll associate that particular color with the part of speech, which
will help you remember it on the test.
In a history textbook, highlight all the major actions of a particular
general, for instance, in one color and all the consequences of his
actions in another. When researching for an essay, color code the info
you find by topic.
Your brain remembers color really well, so use it to your advantage!
Organize Your Notes
Because you're so visual, disorganized notes will be largely unsettling to
you. Put all of your handouts in one place in your notebook or binder.
Design clear, neat tabs or another type of system to keep things straight.
Rewrite your notes. Use outlines to keep things succinct and clear. Not
only will you be looking at the ideas from the lecture again, which
capitalizes on your visual learning, but you can also add new
information or edit as you move along. This will help you learn the
material.
Study the Graphics
This is a fabulous study tip for those of you who can absorb new
information with your eyes. Use the charts and graphics in your
textbook for your chapter test to your advantage. It is much easier to
learn the periodic table of the elements on the chart than it is to learn a
list of the elements. Bonus? Charts that are color-coded!
Draw Pictures or Figures
Even if you are not the most creative person, get out your pencil and
draw pictures, figures, and diagrams to accompany the information you
are trying to learn. The phrase, "A picture is worth a thousand words"
definitely applies to you. Your brain will store a set of drawings of the
five biggest cities in Canada in your head much longer than it will a list
of those cities. Help yourself out when the textbook doesn't and create
your own visuals.
Watch Documentaries or Videos
Don't be afraid to step outside of your classroom in order to glean
knowledge about whatever it is you are studying as long as you use a
reliable source and not some hack on YouTube. Getting a well-rounded,
big picture of your topic can really expand your knowledge! And when
you are this type of learner, it helps to secure that knowledge through
media like documentaries or videos rather than just through textbooks.
Draw Concept Maps
A concept map is a method of visually brainstorming, where you get all
of the ideas from your head onto paper and draw connections where you
see fit. You'll start with a central idea — "weather," for example. That
will go in the center of your sheet of paper. Then, from the weather,
you'll branch off into main categories. Add things like precipitation,
climate, air, clouds, and so on. From each of those categories, you'll
branch off further.
Clouds could be divided further down into cumulus, stratus, cirrus, and
so on. Precipitation could be divided down into rain, sleet, snow, etc. If
you look at the topic you are learning from this angle, it's easy to spot
gaps in your knowledge base. If, for instance, you're studying weather
and you realize you have no idea how climate can affect weather or what
Continue Reading
to put under that category, perhaps you missed something in class.
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