The Visual learning style (often known as the spatial learning style) is a multi-modal technique whereby learners use images and graphics in the learning process (e.g. coloured highlights, graphs, mind maps, etc.).

About 70% of our sensory neurones are related to our visual processing and interpretation. Hence, it is not surprising that many people are visual-spatial learners. It is important for learners to know their learning style, so that their learning strategies can increase comprehension, learning and achievement.

I had hands-on experience on the use of visual learning in my doctoral research during which time I was assessing the use of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in the Biology syllabus of A level students in the UK.

A level students had to study haemoglobin and insulin and how their 3D features were important in their functions. On paper, it is hard to represent how a haemoglobin molecule (with 4 haem groups) change structure when 1 Oxygen atom is bonded to it, and subsequently increase its affinity for oxygen, making subsequent oxygen bonding faster. This is because books and graphics are in 2D. Hence, AR and VR were introduced to A-level Biology students from 2 schools.

Their teacher taught the students about haemoglobin and insulin using books, images and videos and later on assessed the students on the concepts. The students and teacher were then invited to the university, whereby students experienced AR and VR (n a CAVE – a room with 3D representation).

Students were very excited to use the interactive environment and the dynamic information they were provided with. In the CAVE, they were able to walk around protein molecules, turn it around, relate the structures to functions and collectively interactive with the structures. Following, their visits, the teachers set out another assessment. The students performed significantly far better than in their first assessment.

The experiment showed improved understanding and performance. 

• Learning Styles http://www.learning-styles-online.com/style/visual-spatial/
• ‘ Using Multi-Modal Representations to Improve Learning in Junior Secondary Science’  by Bruce Waldrip, Vaughan Prain and Jim Carolan, Research in Science Education, Jan 2010, Vol. 40, Issue 1, pp 65-80 Available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11165-009-9157-6
• The Visual-Spatial Learner in School by Betty Maxwel. Available at: http://www.visualspatial.org/files/appenda.pdf
• Visual-Spatial resource – information for teachers http://www.visualspatial.org/teachers.php
• An investigation of virtual reality in the application of molecular visualisation and docking to enhance learning  by Teeroumanee Nadan. Available at http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.553010