Visual Learning 

The Power of Visual Learning

Learning to think. Learning to learn. These are the essential skills for student success. Research in both educational theory and cognitive psychology tells us that visual learning is among the very best methods for teaching students of all ages how to think, and how to learn.

What is visual learning?

Visual learning techniques - graphical ways of working with ideas and presenting information - teach students to clarify their thinking, and to process, organize and prioritize new information. Visual diagrams reveal patterns, interrelationships and interdependencies. They also stimulate creative thinking.

Visual learning techniques help students:

Clarify thinking: Students see how ideas are connected and realize how information can be grouped or organized. With visual learning, new concepts are more thoroughly and easily understood.

Reinforce understanding: Students recreate, in their own words, what they've learned. This helps them absorb and internalize new information, giving them ownership of their ideas.

Integrate new knowledge: Diagrams updated throughout a lesson prompt students to build upon prior knowledge and internalize new information. By reviewing diagrams created previously, students see how facts and ideas fit together.

Identify misconceptions: Just as a concept map or web shows what students know, misdirected links or wrong connections reveal what they don't understand.

Visual learning is among the very best methods for teaching students of all ages how to think, and how to learn. Inspiration is a visual thinking and learning tool. With it your students can make venn diagrams, character maps, and story webs.

This assignment is designed for you to demonstrate your proficiency of using a visual thinking and learning tool and your ability to integrate technology to meet curricular goals. You are required to create a venn diagram, character map, and/or story web to actively engage your students in the learning process.

Example of Student Work

Inspiration 1

Inspiration 2

Inspiration 3

Assignment Requirement

• You MUST use Inspiration or Kidspiration to complete this assignment.
• Information is precise and vital to the concept map or story board. All necessary information is present and includes at least three levels; title does not count.
• Information on the concept map or story board is very logically organized and clearly connected.
• Use of font, color and style enhances the type of concept map or story board created. Effectively uses graphics where appropriate.
• Includes working hyperlinks to resources related to the concept map or story board.
• Inspiration file is converted to a graphic object. (File --> Export --> Graphics Files)
• Assignment provides a clear understanding of integrating technology into the classroom for the teaching and learning process.
  

Inspiration's Web Site

Explore the Inspiration web site for extensive resources.

You can download a free version of Inspiration (or Kidspiration) from the above website. Make sure you plan to complete your Inspiration assignment within 30 days from the download. It is only good on your computer for 30 days. If you are teaching grades PK-3, you could use Kidspiration instead. You can download Kidspiration from the above site as well.

Online Tutorials

Inspiration in Classroom

Online Inspiration Resources and Tutorials

Video Tutorials for Kidspiration

Using Kidspiration in the Classroom

Printable Tutorial

Inspiration.pdf