visual learners anyone?

I can only learn visually. So it took awhile for me to figure out that the "really awesome lectures" everyone else was learning from, I had attained 0 information from. Usually, color and pictures really help me. I take computer paper and use one sheet for each topic or chapter on a test. I'll use a specific color pen for important terms or important points to remember, draw cartoons of certain concepts, etc. It really, really helps me.

if you have microsoft office... check out the program "one note" that comes with it. i think i'm a visual learner too - i often find myself remembering things because of where they are on a page, different fonts, different colors, etc.

with one note you can create little outlines and move them around a page. you can copy images from your (CD or online) text, the web, etc and paste them right in with your notes. there are also pens, highlighters, clip art, shapes, etc. so you can make things stand out more. i bring my laptop to class and type my notes right into this program. then when i study i review the notes, make them "prettier" and add images to go along with them.

it really helps me - there may be a free trial if you search for one. here's an example of how i use it from last semester - http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7448/onenoteu.jpg

there might even be an newer version now

thanks guys. i think the different color pens ideas will help me so it will stnad out more especially if i dont know something. if i didnt understand a concept i would also pull videos from youtube and that helped me too. i really like the idea of different color paper theme. anddd the microsoft thing looked so cool and beneficial. i dont have microsoft word on my laptop, but i definitely am going to get it very soon. i think these ideas will help me alot more in my next exam. thanks :)

Concept mapping definitely helps me out.. I'm a visual learner as well. My professors told us visuals to use different colored flash cards. I use green cards for drugs and so forth.. Color coordinating and using different colored pens and highlighters greatly helps. I'm terrible at drawing, but my stick people help tremendously. The printer paper is what I use. :) Hope that helps.

I'm a visual learner as well. I have a formerly blank area on the wall in front of me (behind my desk) that I PLASTER with post it notes. Lab values, short notes, definitions, formulas, everything!

Hmm - how to say this without getting anyone ticked off ???

Heck, I'll just go for it. There is really no such thing as "Learning Styles". This was actualy a theory dreamed up by an educator and everyone just bought in to it. It has NO FACTUAL or EVIDENCE-BASE. Educational research has shown that the only factor that impacts learning 'style' is prior knowledge/experience. People who already have an existing knowledge base in the topic learn (process information) differently from those who don't.

That being said, if you are unfamiliar with a concept it always helps to break it down into component parts so that you understand how each part impacts the others. If you like to use drawings, colors, highlighters, puppets... whatever ... the end result is the same.

Also - just like everything else, we have evidence to show that educational 'skills' (learning how to learn) improve over time. This explains why most graduate students & the vast majority of doctoral students can learn very effectively from long lectures that would be ineffective for beginning students.

Anyone who really wants to explore this subject should take a look at Efficiency in Learning: Evidence-based Guidelines to Manage Cognitive Load by Clark, Nguyen & Sweller. It's actually a pretty interesting book.

thank houtx - that actually does make a lot sense. although i tried to type out and/or video tape my lecture but they just aparently seem to read whats on the power point and add very little in between. I can see where you are going on the knowlege based thing because i am starting to consider that when in this field. I do have some health care experience prior that I am encoporating into my ways of thinking. i am finally "thinking outside the box" and I actually get things now - and was like duhh katie .. why did i get this sooner. I guess rather now than later in the semester. I will have to check out that link you provided. thanks.

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