Visual Leap: A Step-by-Step Guide to Visual Learning for Teachers and Students

A discussion of learning strategies to help students think independently, creatively, and critically, while improving listening and reading comprehension. The author begins by describing his own personal learning difficulties and goes on to discuss the research on left brain and right brain functions and the differences between audio-sequential and visual-spatial learning. Visual thinking is said to be innate even with Braille users, and it is this idea that is emphasized, while Berg also recognizes the importance of auditory learning. In order to tackle a subject fully—whether it is brainstorming a topic in collaboration with others, writing a paper, taking notes, planning a speech, or simply making personal plans—Berg recommends the processes of webbing, mapping, and web-storming. These strategies make use of linear and nonlinear thinking and are described in detail with accompanying black-and-white diagrams and personal anecdotes. Readers will appreciate familiar examples that include the Common Core standards, well-known children's literature titles such as Louis Sachar's Holes (Scholastic, 1988), and common history topics such as the Civil War. A useful resources section lists further reading and websites. Chapter notes are provided as well.