The Rise of the Visual Learner
Two thousand years ago there were few visual aids to convey ideas to their students. The vast majority of learning occurred through spoken word. Writing was neither easy nor cheap, and was largely confined to the clergymen. Hence, most teachers were skilled speakers and orators. Obviously, trades such as blacksmithing, carpentry, and other artisanal occupations were still taught in person. But for traditional formal education, there was much listening involved.
Fast forward to today, where nearly every person has a personal computer in the palm of their hand capable of streaming high-definition videos and showing them any image they could possibly desire so long as they have enough data. Additionally, enter any classroom at a college campus and notice that the vast majority of students are using computers with visual aids to supplement whatever lecture is occurring. Not to mention that an increasing number of schools are becoming online-oriented, paying less attention to traditional lectures and in-person learning. It has become quite clear that the amount of visual aids has skyrocketed in the education world.
Speaking of education, we have largely recognized that individuals learn through different styles. Some students prefer to learn through hearing lectures, engaging in discussions, and listening to mnemonics and songs etc. Other students prefer to see their information either through videos or pictures. Still others prefer to actually touch, hold, and experience in a concrete way, the information that they're learning. These learning styles can be quickly categorized into auditory, tactile, and visual. For many years I believed that auditory learners had an advantage over visual students in the classroom due to the methods of most teachers. True, chalkboards have been around for a while, but the depth and detail of the images were minimal, and the chalkboard was largely used for language and mathematical learning. Nowadays, children have computers in their lap along with detailed images and videos overhead which tend to dominate the information they receive. It seems that speaking and having discussions is quickly becoming an antiquated way to transfer information from teacher to student. Those individuals who learn through visual input are beginning to show a clear advantage over those who are more aurally focused.
It’s often said that an image is worth a thousand words, and a video is worth a thousand images. Thus, a visual learner could theoretically learn knowledge much faster than someone who is an auditory learner. For example, two students enter an anatomy lab. The auditory learner needs to repeat the body parts over to himself, talk about it with others, discuss the different compositions, and make mnemonics and sound device tricks for him to remember. The visual learner, on the other hand, simply needs to see the anatomy in its configuration. The precise detail of an image could create a more comprehensive memory of the structure, enabling the visual learner to master anatomy much faster than an auditory-based student. This advantage is becoming increasingly apparent as the plethora of visual devices and mediums continues to grow.
Outside of the traditional learning environment, we also see additional benefits granted to visual based learners. For example, telephone conversations are becoming infrequent, as text messages have become the dominant form of communicating. This is beneficial to the visual learner, while harming the auditory learner. Furthermore, people used to listen to the radio more than they do now. And while podcasts are a great sector of entertainment that has grown rapidly, it is really YouTube and the phenomenon of publicly shared videos that has led to many people generating their own personal fortune. This surplus of videos highlights the importance of visual information in today's world. If we look at the video of George Floyd's murder, we start to realize that the video footage carried brought more progress to racial justice than did all of Martin Luther King Jr's words. We needed a video that people could see over and over again to truly change the tide on racial injustice, not beautifully spoken words.
For thousands of years the written and spoken word was king in transferring information. But those days are over, as the visual medium now dominates the landscape. Jingles are less important now, giving way to the increasing importance of logos, design architecture, and overall visual appeal. Think of how much visual exposure presidents receive today versus what they received back in 1900. It's hard to imagine us electing an ugly president moving forward, considering how often we look at them.
These examples highlight why it is becoming increasingly difficult for auditory people to find a meaningful place in this world. As the auditory person looks around, there is less need for him than ever before, and people are paying less attention to any individual word or sentence. Visual media is replacing auditory input as the most influential way to receive information. We’ve always valued visual information, but now our tools enable us to maximize visual stimulation in nearly every situation. This means that if given the option of watching an intensely stimulating video or listening to a really good song, most people will choose the video. People that make movies have more influence on the world than people who speak well. People who look good are going to have more influence than people who are unattractive. It means that people who have relied on their auditory skills will no longer be as valuable in this new world. Think of someone like Socrates, who survived by talking and asking questions, would someone like that even be able to exist nowadays? Perhaps one of the populations where the spoken word is still revered is the religious leaders such as reverends and ministers. With the advent of mega churches that use large screens and various light shows, however, it seems that the power of the spoken word is waning even in this hallowed domain.
Let’s be clear, there is no turning back. Visual information will only increase in its importance. Auditory learners can lament it all they want, but the quicker that they accept this transition, the faster they can focus on adapting. It is only by modifying their learning style and learning to focus more on visual cues that they will continue to thrive and remain important in today’s society. Humans are flexible and can adapt our learning style. To see how to increase your mind’s eye and improve your learning style, read this: https://www.thedeepthinker.com/blog/how-to-improve-the-minds-eye
