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Adult Learner > Factors > Visual Processing

Visual Processing

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Visual Processing allows us to understand what we see and is essential for reading, writing, and math. Visual Processing skills help us recognize and order visual information. Those individuals who have learning challenges, most notably dyslexia, may have difficulty with Visual Processing.

Main Ideas

Difficulties with Visual Processing can occur even when a learner has good Vision. Visual Processing can impact adult learning in multiple ways:

  • Visual Discrimination is the ability to identify different visual stimuli. For reading, this helps us to distinguish between different letters.
  • Visual Sequencing is the ability to determine the order of images, words, or symbols.
  • Visual Spatial Processing is the ability to recognize the relation of objects in space to one another and to oneself. This is important for determining the arrangement of words, numbers, or shapes on a page.
  • Visual-Motor Integration refers to hand-eye coordination skills needed to physically write, type, and draw.

Overall Visual Processing, including the speed at which one processes visual stimuli, declines with age, with the sharpest drop occurring in the elderly over age 70. Research has shown that programs that promote cognitive and physical activity can help to mediate the decline in Visual Processing.

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Research-Based Strategies For This Factor

Annotating

When annotating, learners engage deeply with a text and make their thinking visible while reading, which supports Foundational Reading Skills.

Audiobooks

Audiobooks allow learners to hear fluent reading and experience books in a flexible format.

Clear Structure & Presentation

When designing instruction for adults, expectations and goals should be clearly outlined to help learners focus on the material and make plans for success.

Creating Visual Representations

When learners process and express information visually, they are activating more cognitive processes while Problem Solving.

Explicit Instruction: Computer Basics

In an increasingly digital world, adults who struggle with using technology can benefit from direct instruction for an array of digital tools.

Guided Practice

Opportunities for students to practice skills in context, with instructor support and also independently, helps to move concepts and ideas into Long-term Memory.

Handouts/Online Guides/Visual Reading Aids

Visual reading aids, such as handouts and online guides, help learners to maintain Attention and serve to support the learning process.

Metaphors & Analogies

Metaphors and analogies can support learners by helping to form connections and to notice patterns and similarities that promote learning, self-concept, and higher order thinking.

Physical Activity

Making space and time for physical activity, through brief movement breaks in the classroom or workplace and incorporating it into daily life, has benefits for the body and mind.

Spaced Learning

Learning and studying information across multiple sessions that are spaced, or distributed in time, can promote learning and long-term retention of both basic and conceptually complex facts and concepts.

Text-to-speech

Text-to-speech technology reads the words on a screen aloud.

Video Replay Analysis

Analyzing short video clips, replays of important aspects, and videos of oneself applying what has been learned can improve Metacognition and Long-term Memory while fostering a Learner Mindset.

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