Technology and the Spatial or Visual Learner

We are all students to some degree. Whether we are learning in a traditional way in a class or we are learning about something new that happens to affect us in daily life, we are a student and constantly learning in life. We learn in different ways, and as time goes on, we find that we learn in some ways better than others. Howard Gardner's research came up with a theory that humans have “Multiple Intelligence.” Based on the work by Gardner, we understand that students have different ways of learning depending on which intelligence is your “strong” intelligence or the best way people learn. Knowing this, a person or educator can form his or her lesson to connect with that type learning style (McCoog, 25). One intelligence, and one that I closely relate with according to my test at the Birmingham Grid for Learning website is spatial or visual.

Spatial learners find education easier through the use of visuals like graphic organizers, videos, and diagrams. Through the use of technology, this type of learner experience a way to learn that fits with their style. These learners can learn through showing of pictures and videos for them to see how topics are connected, and as a spatial learner is sometimes creative, they may enjoy learning by creating educational visual arts.

According to an article by Ian McCoog on multiple intelligences, “spatial learners are extremely visual” and “focus on interpretation and beauty” (McCoog, 26). This type of learner can do very well by showing them pictures of items related to what they are reading. The Internet allows for research on many different topics that a picture or drawing may help a student connect with the topic.

When this type of learner thinks of a topic, they try to visualize what they are reading or hearing. They “have a strong ability to manipulate and create mental images to solve problems” (Rao). This ability to solve problems through images can be used to help educate these students by not only showing them images, but to help them learn, educators can encourage them to use software programs to have them create educational projects.

Different computer related technologies open the doors for the spatial or visual leaner. According to the same article by McCoog, this type of learner is helped with creativity and “they enjoy digital and video-camera projects” A visual or spatial learner also can be aided with the video and camera projects with computer programs that help with video editing and picture creation or design (McCoog, 26).

My general interest of teaching is in English and writing. To further help students learn, an assignment to create and give a presentation may help a visual learner. The spatial or visual learner has many options in a reading or writing class including creating pictures, collages, and videos about books or poems. They can research on-line information about book topic, create some artistic and educational project related to it, and then they could present it to a class I may someday teach. Although it is not necessary for spatial learner to have technology to learn, using the many technology options available to him or her may benefit everyone in a class.

My general interest of teaching is in English and writing. To further help students learn, an assignment to create and give a presentation may help a visual learner. The spatial or visual learner has many options in a reading or writing class including creating pictures, collages, and videos about books or poems. They can research online information about book topic, create some artistic and educational project related to it, and then they could present it to a class I may someday teach. Although it is not necessary for spatial learner to have technology to learn, using the many technology options available to him or her may benefit everyone in a class.

Many websites available including Animoto.com for those interested in videos and audio, Prezi.com for presentations, and Scratch at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology website for students interested in creating video games (Rao). Some of those options cost money and may not be best for a student. More information on those websites and additional websites can be found at the teachbytes.com website.

Many software programs are available for the creative student, too. Computer software and technology can be expensive, but there are inexpensive or free software programs available that can be used for the spatial learner to demonstrate his or her knowledge. Software programs such as The Gnu Image Manipulation Program or “GIMP” is a great, opensource, free software a student could use to edit pictures. For the student who likes videos, they can edit with a software program called OpenShot that is free and opensource. Then they can take that video and post it on one of many websites free for users to post videos on including the popular Youtube.com.

Some of my examples of free software may not be as professional or have the quality of the expensive alternatives, but it gives the creative student a low-cost option to make a digital presentation. As an example of how a spatial learner can be creative and learn, I created a short video with some of the free software programs I mentioned that highlights some ideas for a spatial learner in an English related class. Not all students may choose a video or computer related presentation like this, but it gives students options and points them in the correct way.

 

I admit I am no expert. I am not great in video editing or creating, and I do not claim to be an expert in that field. This video example was just a quick, easy example to demonstrate how a student or teacher could present information to the visual learner. It is something that can be done to educate in a fun way.

With the use of technology, the spatial or visual learner can do well. Different software programs and available resources on-line can provide them a creative outlet to both create and show their educational related works. These projects will hopefully encourage the students to do additional research on topics so that they can make the best visual display of their knowledge.



References


McCoog, I. (2007). Integrated Instruction: Multiple Intelligences And Technology. The Clearing House, 25-28.


Rao, A. (2013, January 5). 17 Tech Tools for Visual/Spatial Learners. Retrieved February 16, 2015, from http://teachbytes.com/2013/01/05/17-tech-tools-for-visualspatial-learners/

Technology Helps Students and Teachers

Teachers and students have a unique position in the time we live in to take advantage of technology. We live in a time where smart phones are in what seems to be every student's backpack, a laptop or computer in their homes, and a growing demand of people to expand technology into every aspect of daily life. By connecting students with the many available resources on the Internet through these many devices, students will have access interact with many people, understand new and different ways to understand a topic, and have to a wide range resources to stimulate thought-provoking discussions.

Leading people to see the benefits of technology has not been an easy path. The concern of some may be how it may negatively impact education as humans are “social beings.” This social engagement has allowed for people to evolve and learn through interacting with others because we are “biologically hard-wired for interacting with others” (Virtka, 2013). To add to the concerns is that anti-social behavior through the technology outside of class is concerning to some as it can be a factor to cyber-bullying, obesity, and generally low-self esteem. The use of technology in a non-education setting, for example, is common and should be limited according to Larry Rosen, a psychology professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills. He said “For every minute of tech use there should be an equivalent five minutes of time spent doing something else” like interacting with other people and creative activities (Hampton, 2014).

Technology can be viewed and used as a way to connect people. One way the use of technology in the classroom can help is through guest speakers. Through video chat from many different software like Skype, speakers can be invited into classrooms without the traditional troubles of scheduling conflicts and travel expenses. These speakers can be local politicians giving the class information about their local government, educators from other areas or states with unique perspectives, or they can be experienced in any field or topic allowing for a different view of the world to be expressed to students. Just like a speaker who would come to a class in-person, these can also be an interactive discussion. With this discussion the class can watch the speaker as he or she “demonstrates a scientific experiment or a musical technique, or leads a guided virtual tour of a museum exhibit” ("Teaching: Prepare and Connect," n.d.). The different types of technology together working with the Internet provide access to different types of education for students.

Technology also can help students learn through creativity. There are many different types of technology available and ways to implement them in the classroom, but one sometimes overlooked is the blog. A blog would allow for students to be creative by writing. It would be a learning tool for themselves to help better understand, and it would be an option to improve writing skills through creative writing topics (Huffaker, 2004). This common technology can benefit many who may be concerned and embarrassed about their abilities in writing or need to improve their skills.

There are many ways for technology to benefit in education. The best ways to integrate technology into the classroom are those that help stimulate the mind and some form of social interaction. The Internet, smart phones, and laptops provide the ease of knowledge at the tip of our fingers, and with the correct implementation of these tools, learning can be fun and improved.

References

Hampton, M. (2014, August 22). Technology: Is it making kids anti-social? Retrieved February 2, 2015, from http://universe.byu.edu/2014/08/22/technology-is-it-making-kids-anti-social/

Huffaker, D. (2004, January 1). The educated blogger: Using Weblogs to promote literacy in the classroom | Huffaker | First Monday. Retrieved February 3, 2015, from http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/1156/1076

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology, Teaching: Prepare and Connect. (n.d.). Retrieved February 2, 2015, from http://tech.ed.gov/netp/teaching-prepare-and-connect/

Vrticka, P. (2013, September 16). Evolution of the 'Social Brain' in Humans: What Are the Benefits and Costs of Belonging to a Social Species? Retrieved February 2, 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pascal-vrticka/human-social-development_b_3921942.html