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This style refers to how people process information. It can
be assessed through the Visualizer/Verbalizer Questionnaire. Visualizers
prefer to
process information by seeing. They tend to:
- Think concretely
- Have high imagery ability and vivid daydreams
- Like illustrations, diagrams, and charts
- Prefer to be shown how to do something
- Be more subjective about what they are learning
Verbalizers prefer to process information through words. They tend to:
- Think abstractly
- Have low imagery ability
- Like reading text or listening
- Prefer to read about how to do something
- Be more objective about what they are learning
Some learners are equally comfortable with both styles, while others will have a strong
preference. To be certain that you reach all learners, use different methods of
instruction. For example:
- Draw a diagram or picture on the whiteboard and add a few notes beneath it while you
explain it.
- Use PowerPoint slides, making certain to incorporate illustrations as well as words.
- Have students look at applicable web sites as well as textbook readings, since these
sites tend to be more visual.
- Show video clips or have students listen to audiotapes. Be sure to have a discussion
afterwards summarizing the main points.
- Consider holding a chat session in a text-based MOO (Multi-User Object-Oriented Domain)
or an "avatar virtual world" such as Active Worlds, in which students are
allowed to choose their avatars, graphical representations of themselves. This gains more
meaning if the virtual world has some significance to the learning, for example, a
simulation of an environment or historical period.
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