I See What You Mean: Using Visuals to Deepen Learning

Many of us are back on the road facilitating in-person events. It feels great! We can move around the room to engage with content and each other, we can sit in a circle for personal sharing, and we can touch, add and move ideas around to co-create meaning as we stand at a wall or move around a table.

The tactile nature of using visuals in person can help deepen learning. Writing on a sticky note, co-creating a flip chart, sculpting a theory of change, or physically arranging ideas can increase engagement. Visuals are the common way to for learners to engage with content and each other. If the content is important enough to teach, it is important for each learner to have. Offering a workbook can help learners follow along, refer easily to the content, take notes, and refer back to it after the event.

But, what makes a great visual? How do we use them effectively?

Using Visuals Effectively:

• Consider the content you need to teach. Teach a new model at the front of the room beside another model the group learned earlier so you can discuss how they are related. Teach a story from the field with a short video.
• Consider the size of the group. For a small group, sit in a circle and place group work, images or ideas on the floor in the middle. If the group is large, you may need to use PowerPoint slides.
• Consider the culture and needs of the group. If your group has low literacy, you may opt for a demonstration or role play. If they are used to embodied practices, offer the content around the room.
• Consider the engagement you will be inviting. Place a flip chart stand at each table or invite groups to write their ideas on Post-it notes and post them on a big blank wall.
• Consider the space and place. If nature is close by, teach outside or go for a walk to consider the learning. Keep a large empty wall clear of furniture so you can present or co-create there.
• Consider the time and timing. In a multi-day event, shift the front from time to time – standing by a wall to share and debrief, or sitting on the floor to share personal stories. Invite learners to sculpt a vision of something and walk around tables to celebrate creations.

Facilitation Tips:

• Prepare them in advance. Carry as much as you can in an accordion folder and prepare flip chart sheets the night before.
• Invite others to help create your visuals. Who says we need to be a master of all things? Nope. That’s why we have colleagues and friends!
• Keep a collection of ‘optional visuals’ just in case. 100 dots of different colours (we never know when we will want to use the technique dot-ocracy), and 40 images (we never know when we will want to use them for the technique A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words).
• Tape on the back to minimize wear and tear. We hope to reuse visuals at least 2 or 3 times
• Use colored card stock. This helps with durability and visibility.
• Set out your visuals at the start of the day. Set aside a table at the front for your stuff.
• Take down visuals if you are no longer using them. Our goal is not to paper the walls. Rather, everything on the walls is of importance and there for easy reference.