A Strong Visual Intelligence

[Timothy Gangwer]

Core Characteristics:

• Spatial Awareness - solving problems using spatial orientation
• Non-sequential Reasoning - thinking in divergent ways
• Visual Acuity - assessment of information based on principals of design and aesthetics
• Imagination - seeing the possibilities before engaging them in the physical world
• Small motor coordination - creating, building, arranging, decorating

Students with a strong visual intelligence:

• Seek ocular stimulation
• Respond to color, line and shape
• Can "see" ideas
• Use mental images for mnemonic devices
• Imagine possibilities
• Enjoy expressing themselves through the arts
• Appreciate symmetry and congruence
• Enjoy rearranging their environment
• Can manipulate three-dimensional models in their minds
• Understand by seeing a concept in action

Support this intelligence in the classroom by:

• Allowing student movement around the learning environment
• Providing a visually stimulating environment
• Sketching plans before beginning work
• Brainstorming ideas
• Semantic mapping
• Guided imagery exercises
• Working with manipulatives
• Diagramming abstract concepts
• Providing visual assessment performance tasks
• Utilizing visual technologies such as KidPix and PowerPoint


Technologies that stimulate this intelligence:

• Overhead projector
• Television
• Video
• Picture books
• Art supplies
• Chalkboard
• Dry erase board
• Slide shows
• Charting and graphing
• Monitor
• Digital camera/camcorder
• Scanner
• Graphics editor
• HTML editor
• Digital animation
• Digital movies