Using Visual Thinking for Effective Teaching and Learning

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Charts and graphs provide a great deal of visual appeal. It can be used in the classrooms to present data, illustrate important patterns or relationships, and observe changes as data is altered.
Reasons to use Charts and Graphs:
 Provide a visual representation of data;
 Effectively clarify information;
 Represents many different types of data;
 Make important ideas easily recognizable;
 Allow learners to perceive information quickly.
There are a lot of types of charts. Some of them are bar chart, pie chart, line chart, histogram, and etc.
A bar graph is a visual display used to compare the amounts or frequency of occurrence of different characteristics of data. [37] A bar chart makes the information clear and immediately visible to students. (see Example )
A pie graph is also called circle graph. It is a circular chart divided into sectors, illustrating numeral proportion. Pie graphs show the relationship of parts of a whole and always show how a whole is divided.
A line graph is a type of chart that is created by connecting a series of data points together with a line.
A histogram is similar to a bar chart in structure that organizes a group of data points into user-specified ranges.
Most of the charts and graphs shown above are very traditional. Data visualization is a hot field and there are many new forms of charts. We can also call it – graphic organizer. Graphic organizer is a visual display that demonstrates relationships between facts, concepts or ideas. Graphic organizers guide learners’ thinking as they fill in and build upon a visual map or diagram. Graphic organizers are some of the most effective visual learning strategies for students and are applied across the curriculum to enhance learning and understanding ...

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... can be used both by teacher and students. It is easy to create mind map.
But even though mind maps in education have so much proven success, it is still only applied half-heartedly in mainstream education worldwide.

Works Cited

37. Review of Bar Graphs, http://cstl.syr.edu/fipse/tabbar/revbar/revbar.htm viewed: 17/05/14
38. Teaching and Learning with Graphic Organizers, http://www.inspiration.com/visual-learning/graphic-organizers viewed: 18/05/14
39. Gardner, B., Using Infographics in Language Classroom, http://evasimkesyan.com/2013/06/28/using-infographics-in-language-classroom/ viewed: 18/05/14
40. 10 Reasons Why Infographics are Important, http://naldzgraphics.net/tips/reasons-why-infographics-are-important/ viewed: 19/05/14
41. Buzan, T., The Mind Map Book, Plume, 1996
42. Casco, M., The Use of Mind Maps in the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Article, 2009

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