Learning styles have been studied extensively for over twenty years. The visual-spatial learner model is based on the newest discoveries in brain research about the different functions of the hemispheres. The left hemisphere is sequential, analytical, and time-oriented. The right hemisphere perceives the whole, synthesizes, and apprehends movement in space.
Visual thinking strategies give visual learners the tools to express and develop their ideas in ways that conform to the ways that they naturally think. The diagram below compares right hemisphere visual-spatial thinkers with left brain dominant auditory-sequential thinkers.
AUDITORY-SEQUENTIAL |
VISUAL-SPATIAL |
| Thinks primarily in words |
Thinks primarily in pictures |
| Has auditory strengths |
Has visual strengths |
| Relates well to time |
Relates well to space |
| Is a step-by-step learner |
Is a whole-part learner |
| Learns by trial and error |
Learns concepts all at once |
| Progresses sequentially from easy to difficult material |
Learns complex concepts easily; struggles with easy skills |
| Is an analytical thinker |
Is a good synthesizer |
| Attends well to details |
Sees the big picture; may miss details |
| Does well at arithmetic |
Reads maps well |
| Learns phonics easily |
Is better at math reasoning than computation |
| Can sound out spelling words |
Learns whole words easily |
| Can write quickly and neatly |
Must visualize words to spell them |
| Is well-organized |
Prefers keyboarding to writing |
| Can show steps of work easily |
Creates unique methods of organization |
| Excels at rote memorization |
Arrives at correct solutions intuitively |
| Has good auditory short-term memory |
Learns best by seeing relationships |
| May need some repetition to reinforce learning |
Has good long-term visual memory |
| Learns well from instruction |
Learns concepts permanently; is turned off by drill and repetition |
| Learns in spite of emotional reactions |
Develops own methods of problem solving |
| Is comfortable with one right answer |
Is very sensitive to teachers’ attitudes |
| Develops fairly evenly |
Generates unusual solutions to problems |
| Usually maintains high grades |
Develops quite asynchronously |
| Develops fairly evenly |
May have very uneven grades |
| Enjoys algebra and chemistry |
Enjoys geometry and physics |
| Learns languages in class |
Masters other languages through immersion |
| Is academically talented |
Is creatively, mechanically, emotionally, or technologically gifted |
| Is an early bloomer |
Is a late bloomer |
