Visual Learning Style -
Visual / Spatial Intelligence

"Visual learners, or those with "Visual / Spatial Intelligence" according to Gardner's Model of Multiple Intelligences, prefer graphs, pictures, and diagrams. They look for visual representations of information," (Mindtools, n.d.). "This intelligence, which relies on the sense of sight and being able to visualize an object, includes the ability to create internal mental images/pictures. Visual/spatial intelligence is triggered by presenting the mind with and/or creating unusual, delightful, and colorful designs, patterns, shapes, and pictures, and engaging in active imagination through such things as visualization guided imagery, and pretending exercises," (Learning Styles).

According to Nusa Maal (2004), visual learners represent 20% - 40% of the population. Visual learners have strong image-processing abilities and prefer images for content learning. Visual learning content includes anything the learner sees and processes in the pattern-processing & image center of the brain. This can include two-dimensional pictures, photos, drawings, charts, graphs, tables, diagrams, videos, demonstrations, etc. as well as three-dimensional objects such as artifacts in a museum, animals in a zoo, or a person demonstrating a skill.

It is important to note, reading is not a visual learning activity. As mentioned in the Auditory learning section: "Although reading might seem, on the surface, to be a 'visual' activity, research indicates that making sense of a string of syllables, words, sentences, and paragraphs is a left-brain (linear-sequential-analytical) function. Other types of information such as pictures, images, maps, charts, diagrams, and melodies are primarily processed in the part of the brain that specializes in perceiving patterns and integrating component parts into a recognizable whole," (Dalton & Farmer, 2002, p. 389) .

Just as reading is not a visual learning activity, text displayed on a T.V. or computer screen, text-based Powerpoint presentations, or any other text-based teaching tool is not a "visual" learning activity either. Reading can be of benefit to visual learners, if the learner is a good reader. When designing your lessons, you will want to mindful that reading is not, by nature, a visual activity.

As a homeschooling parent, you can find visually "rich" ways of teaching your child which will enable him/her to learn faster & better than through strictly traditional teaching methods. Multimedia software programs and videos are ideal for visual learners, as are any hands-on activities.