![Picture](/uploads/1/6/8/6/16862022/7874931.jpg)
Visual learners:
Visual learning techniques are essential for special needs students but they can still be a fantastic resource for mainstream students as we all learn visually but some of us are predominantly visual learners.
Traditionally visual aids were low tech but these days we are fortunate to have high tech resources such as computers, iPads and interactive whiteboards. Everyday low tech options include “visuals” (pictures that represent activities) such as maths, lunch time, eating, play ground, toilet, daily schedule as well as social stories that can be used to teach skills, behaviours or address issues. Visual aids also act as an efficient communication device where spoken language may be a barrier, for example, it can give a student the ability to indicate a need such as to drink, use the toilet or to eat.
It also helps the teacher ask questions and obtain answers or give instructions or directions throughout a day. You
should always ensure you maintain a mix of low tech and high tech visual aids so that if the high tech aid fails you
still have low‐tech options as a back up.
Useful websites to assist visual learners:
Visual Aides for Learning
SEN Teachers
Boardmaker
Widgit
CARD
do2Learn
Adelaide Autism Adventures
Visual Timetables / Daily Diaries
Visual timetables/Daily Diaries
What is a visual timetable/ Daily diary?
Visual timetable: A visual timetable is a set of visuals (consisting of Boardmaker visuals and/or photos) which depict a specific time schedule, whether it be a morning session, a full day or a week. It is established by the teacher for students.
Daily diary: A daily diary is a pictorial representation of the day. It can include the day of the
week, the weather, feelings and activities. It is a learning tool, developed by the teacher to promote choice making and correct identification of visuals. Students select appropriate visuals to communicate their daily activities with parents/caregivers.
Why is it used?
How do we use it?
Visual timetables are set up by the teacher at the beginning of each day
They can be both class and individual timetables
Daily diaries are usually created at the end of day
Used as a point of reflection/clarification/recount
It is a communication tool to be used between parents and student
Students have ownership of their daily diary
Visual learning techniques are essential for special needs students but they can still be a fantastic resource for mainstream students as we all learn visually but some of us are predominantly visual learners.
Traditionally visual aids were low tech but these days we are fortunate to have high tech resources such as computers, iPads and interactive whiteboards. Everyday low tech options include “visuals” (pictures that represent activities) such as maths, lunch time, eating, play ground, toilet, daily schedule as well as social stories that can be used to teach skills, behaviours or address issues. Visual aids also act as an efficient communication device where spoken language may be a barrier, for example, it can give a student the ability to indicate a need such as to drink, use the toilet or to eat.
It also helps the teacher ask questions and obtain answers or give instructions or directions throughout a day. You
should always ensure you maintain a mix of low tech and high tech visual aids so that if the high tech aid fails you
still have low‐tech options as a back up.
Useful websites to assist visual learners:
Visual Aides for Learning
SEN Teachers
Boardmaker
Widgit
CARD
do2Learn
Adelaide Autism Adventures
Visual Timetables / Daily Diaries
Visual timetables/Daily Diaries
What is a visual timetable/ Daily diary?
Visual timetable: A visual timetable is a set of visuals (consisting of Boardmaker visuals and/or photos) which depict a specific time schedule, whether it be a morning session, a full day or a week. It is established by the teacher for students.
Daily diary: A daily diary is a pictorial representation of the day. It can include the day of the
week, the weather, feelings and activities. It is a learning tool, developed by the teacher to promote choice making and correct identification of visuals. Students select appropriate visuals to communicate their daily activities with parents/caregivers.
Why is it used?
- To clarify schedules and activities to be undertaken during the day
- Provides structured routine for students specifically with autism
- Can also be used to show that activities have finished
- Can be used for positive behaviour management, i.e. ‘First…., then……’.
- Provides visual cues ………………………………
- Daily diaries provide students with a tool to open communication channels with parents
How do we use it?
Visual timetables are set up by the teacher at the beginning of each day
They can be both class and individual timetables
Daily diaries are usually created at the end of day
Used as a point of reflection/clarification/recount
It is a communication tool to be used between parents and student
Students have ownership of their daily diary