The document outlines six ways to use visual aids in the classroom, represented by the acronym V.I.S.U.A.L. Visual aids can help with vocabulary lessons by increasing retention of words when paired with images. They can also help identify key concepts, such as clarifying grammar rules. Visuals stimulate inquiry by sparking students' interests through virtual field trips or visual problems to solve. Mapping tools like flow charts help students understand complex ideas by organizing their thoughts. Visualizing word problems aids math application. Finally, visual supports scaffold language learning, especially for ELL students, through tools like anchor charts.
1. 6 Engaging Ways to
Use Visual Aids in
Your Classroom
By Dr. Stephanie Knight
Presentation by: Ms. Madelyn F.
Altavano
2. V.I.S.U.A.L
The acronym V.I.S.U.A.L. will help you remember these six ideas:
V: Vocabulary lessons
I: Identify key concepts
S: Stimulate inquiry
U: Understand the complex with mapping
A: Application in math
L: Language learning: ELL supports
3. 1. V: Vocabulary Lessons
Since our brain is designed to remember
pictures, visuals give concrete information. You are 65
percent more likely to remember something with a
visual than if it was a vocabulary word alone.
(Medina, 2018).
01
4. Just the other day, I was trying to
explain the definition of “bellow.” How can one
explain this word except to show it in action? It
can be acted out by shouting in a deep voice, or
one can show a picture of a boss shouting an
order to an idle employee.
This clarifies the meaning and locks it
into memory. The students can later draw their
own pictures along with the definition since the
brain will retain words that are read and seen.
(Side note: Have them say the word and act it
out, and you have nearly doubled their retention.)
5. 2. I: Identity Key Concepts 02
● Grammar is an area that can be quite dry if
one just teaches the rules. Visual aids not only help in
aiding understanding, but also assist students in
remembering a rule with a picture in mind. For example,
clauses always have a subject and predicate. This can be
helpful knowledge when one is learning about
dependent and independent clauses.
6. 3. S: Stimulate Inquiry 03
If you are about to embark on a new topic or
theme in the class, have the students go on a virtual
adventure or field trip. The Smithsonian has a large
index of tours that would spark your students’
interests.
7. Another way is to give the students a
picture of a problem to solve. The students could
even make a visual representation of the
problem. For example, “A rabbit is stuck at the
bottom of a five-foot hole. Each day he climbs
up two feet and slides back down one. What day
will he reach the top to escape?” They could draw
this out or they could view it and then write it out
and solve it.
8. 4. U: Understand the complex
with mapping
04
Thinking maps are powerful visual learning
tools that can help us better organize our ideas or
map out a process. There are eight kinds, ranging
from bubble maps to flow maps.
9. Using a flow map, for example, students can
sequence the events of a story; mapping it out allows
the brain to see the flow of events more effectively
before writing about or discussing the story. Mapping
through drawing combines words and pictures in a
formatted way which allows the thinking to be
processed out, helping the complex become
understandable.
10. 5. A: Application in Math
05
Picturing a problem can be a helpful tool in
aiding students to come up with a solution. Word
problems allow for the practical application of math
and therefore are a great vehicle to utilize visuals.
This works great in learning money, for example,
“Jose has two dimes, five nickels, and ten pennies.
How much money does he have?
11. ” Drawing the actual scenario can give
students a concrete visu? al to solve this
problem. Also, if there is a
misunderstanding of the problem,
teachers can quickly identify where the
student may be struggling in their
processing.
12. 6. L: Language Learning: ELL
Supports 06
In all classrooms, but especially for
ELL’s, visual supports are beneficial examples of
scaffolding. When the learning is scaffolded
students are building on prior learning, and it
presents ways for students to build on a success
before they learn something new. This is vital for
ELL students
13. One example of a visual scaffold is an anchor chart. I like my walls
to teach when I am not teaching. This means we need to be
intentional with our wall space. When used with fidelity, anchor
charts engage and support instruction because students can
visually review a process and be reminded of a concept already
taught. The benefit of an anchor chart is that it can be displayed
and referenced as needed.
14. With these V.I.S.U.A.L. ideas you can transform
your classroom into a vibrant learning lab. The
effective use of visuals can increase retention
and enhance the learning process. It is also sure
to make learning more fun and lively.
