Visual Thinking

Visuals Matter

Cognitive science research suggests that for optimal learning to occur, information has to be received and encoded along dual channels – visual (non-verbal) and verbal. What this means for instructors is that in considering how we present information to our learners, it is important to connect verbal (text/words) information with visual stimuli (Dual Coding Theory). Images, when used strategically to augment course content can enhance learners’ ability to consolidate and recall information.  

Adapted from Paivio's Dual Coding Theory and Mayer and Moreno, 2003, Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning. Dog encoding image credit.

Adding visual imagery to course materials (e.g. illustrations, graphs, infographics, charts, photo essays) can be both strategic and worth the time spent. Below are resources and useful visual tools for you to consider incorporating into your course materials:

• Concept maps: Concept maps allow for non-linear visualization which is difficult to convey with text alone. (Coggle, MindMeister)
• Infographics: Visualizes information and data which aids in the cognitive processing of that information and data. (Canva, Picktochart, Infogram)
• Graphic organizers: Visualize the relationships between facts, ideas, concepts, and information. (Creately, HMH - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
• Images as stories: Image that expresses a narrative. (Storytelling tools via Northwestern's Knightlabs)
• Images as metaphors: Visual analogies and stories (Free or low-cost images: Unsplash, Pexels, The Noun Project, Word Art, EdWordle, Flickr, Wikimedia Commons, Pixabay
• Specialty images: 
  • Art & Architecture: The Met Collection, National Gallery of Art (U.S.), Smithsonian Institution, Paris Musées, and more
  • History: Library of Congress, Wellcome Collection, NYPL Digital Collections
  • Science: NASA Image Portal, USGS Photos, NOAA Photo Library
  • Medicine: NIH Images from the History of Medicine, CDC Public Health Image Library
• Data visualization: Graphic representation of information. (Tableau, Gapminder)
• Whiteboards: Online blackboards that allow sharing and a wider array of visuals. (Miro, Padlet)

References

Clark, J. M. & Paivio, A. (1991). Dual coding theory and education. Educational Psychology Review, 3(3), 149-170.

Dual Code Theory: Science Direct

Hans Rosling TED TALKS: The Best Stats You've Ever Seen -- Inspiring demonstration of the visualization of data using Gapminder tools.

David McCandless TED TALKS: The Beauty of Data Visualization