The saying ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ makes sense when a vast majority of all information processed by the brain is visual. Therefore, we can assume most of us have a visual learning style, but how can you tell?
Think about the following scenario: you are in a big city and have to ask a stranger for directions. Would you ask them to show you on a map, tell you, or take you halfway?
There are three different learning styles, visual, auditory and kinaesthetic. We all like to process information in a certain way, and recognizing your preference improves not only how you understand information but also how you remember it.
See if you recognize any of the signs below.
15 signs you have a visual learning style
Visual learners remember information best by using visual aids such as slides, graphs, diagrams, and storyboards, or using color charts or flashcards.
1. You remember faces but not names
We know that visual learners prefer pictures and images, but they also think in them too. They will translate words or sounds into images, and easily retrieve these images. As a result, they remember what they see but forget what they’re told.
2. You are a fast learner
Humans are visual creatures. Sight is our dominant sense. Humans process images significantly faster than text. Matthew Dunn is a teacher and professor with a Ph.D. in Digital Media. He says:
“Images are processed between 6 and 600 times faster than language.”
Text requires us to understand the words, analyze them in the sentence, then visualize the meaning in our minds, which takes time. Visual information is instant, easy to understand and remember.
3. You prefer to make plans than act spontaneously
If you prefer to make plans rather than act in the moment, you might have a visual learning style. Visual learners like to ‘see’ what they’re doing in advance, rather than jump straight into a situation. They’ll visualize the scenario in their heads so they know what to expect.
4. You write ‘to do’ and ‘pros and cons’ lists
It would be a mistake to think that visual learners prefer pictures or videos above all else. While it’s true that they don’t like to read a lot of written content, they do like making lists. For example, when they need to make a tough decision, a ‘pros and cons’ list lets them ‘see’ the advantages and disadvantages quickly.
5. You can see the bigger picture
When you read a book or listen to a podcast, you concentrate on that one aspect being discussed. A picture gives you all the information in one hit. Everything is there that you need to make sense of the scene.
6. But you also notice finer details
As well as seeing the bigger picture, visual learners can spot the finer details. This is because our eyes go through a mental checklist of where to look first.
This is an evolutionary trait that ensured our ancestors survived. Our earliest ancestors were hunters and hunted, and this is hundreds of thousands of years before they began to write. As a result, our eyes evolved to detect tiny differences in a scene such as movement, light and size.
9. Noise doesn’t distract you
Someone with a visual learning style can study or work where there is background noise but will get easily distracted by movement in their peripheral vision.
10. You watch a situation before you get involved
Visual learners have a natural ability to absorb and quickly process information by observing. They can simultaneously see the entire picture and pick up on minor details and nuances at the same time. They like to watch a situation before offering an opinion.
11. You enjoy arts and crafts
Because visual learners prefer images and pictures, they engage with the visual world more. This constant interaction feeds their creativity, often inspiring them to work in an artistic industry or take up arts and crafts as a hobby.
12. You have efficient spatial awareness
Spatial awareness is the ability to see how three-dimensional objects move in the world. Because a visual learner can picture and remember objects in space, their spatial awareness is superb.
13. You are competent at spelling and grammar
Reading and writing are sight-based activities, and because visual learners remember what they have read, they excel at spelling and grammar.
14. You love color
Do you express yourself through color? Perhaps you use color to organize your work or studies? If so, you might be a visual learner.
15. You are an excellent problem-solver
Visual learners can picture situations and ideas, which makes them excellent at imagining different solutions to problems.
How to use visual learning styles to your advantage
Whether you’re studying or working, now that you know you prefer visual learning, read on to see how to maximize this preference.
Use diagrams and flowcharts
Use diagrams to simplify complex information and illustrate processes and outcomes. Flowcharts are useful visual aids that show step-by-step procedures and results.
Draw mind maps and concept maps
Using mind maps when brainstorming allows you to visualize your thoughts around a central theme. Concept maps help to establish relationships between novel concepts in a certain subject, which is useful when you need a holistic approach.
Use info-graphics
Info-graphics combine pictures, graphs, or charts with text that contains information. The graphics are often vibrant and cartoonish, which makes it easy for visual learners to remember.
Watch videos
There’s no point listening to a podcast or reading a textbook if you’re a visual learner. It’s harder to concentrate and remember information. Watching a video and taking notes is far more effective.
Online courses
Studying can be problematic for visual learners as it’s challenging when you have to absorb a lot of written content. However, many institutions, including TEFL, have online courses focusing on video content, which is perfect for visual learners.
In fact, the virtual classroom has become a preferred method of study for many students, and numerous organizations are capitalizing on this shift.
Create storyboards or mood boards
Storyboards allow you to see the narrative flow and create events and relationships between characters. Mood boards bring to life your ideas and are a visual representation of your thoughts and ideas.
Color is your friend
Use color to separate and make important distinctions, for instance: color code text in different highlighters or use colored Post-it notes to highlight important pages in a textbook.
Final thoughts
Recognizing that you have a visual learning style can open new and more effective ways of studying, working, even enhancing your creativity. You’ll be able to understand more and communicate more effectively, both in your work and personal life.
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