One of the ongoing challenges teachers of students who are deaf or hard of hearing face is managing the visual split attention implicit in multimedia learning. When a teacher presents various types of visual information at the same time, visual learners have no choice but to divide their attention among those materials and the teacher and…

Visual literacy, the ability to interpret and create external representations (ERs), is essential to success in biochemistry. Studies have been conducted that describe students' abilities to use and interpret specific types of ERs. However, a framework for describing ERs derived through a naturalistic inquiry of biochemistry classrooms has not…

Attempts at integrating mathematics and science have been made previously but no definitive, widely adopted teaching model has been developed to date. Research suggests that hands-on, practical, student-centred tasks should form a central element when designing an effective model for the integration of mathematics and science. Aided by this…

Advocates the use of the whole language method in writing instruction to emphasize communication rather than mechanical correctness in writing. Discusses the following whole language techniques: having children see themselves as authors, using predictable books, encouraging inventive spelling, and using and displaying student work. (DMM)

Because deaf students learn most efficiently through visual channels, the use of graphic organizers can be an effective way for students to learn, organize, and remember information. Guidelines are given for organizing information visually and using organizers as teaching tools with this population. (DB)

Describes the collaborative listening-viewing guide, a lesson framework for promoting students' visual literacy. Notes that an important feature of the guide is the use of flexible grouping, where students are encouraged to share what they see and recall, to contribute their personal experiences, and to build more elaborated constructions of…

Visual supports were used to help two boys with autism of elementary school age to transition from one activity to another. A significant decrease in the latency between the time the students were given instructions and the time they began the next activity occurred when the visual supports were used. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

For a visual generation of students, slides are an effective learning and teaching tool and a constant stimulus for writing, reading, and speaking activities. Ways in which slides have been effectively incorporated into foreign language instruction lessons are described. (CB)

Encourages visual notetaking to help students improve learning. Emphasizes that when students use verbal and visual cues, the entire brain is called to action. Specific examples of notetaking such as "T-line,""Stickperson," and "Star models" are illustrated. (BR)

This article explains visual teaching strategies appropriate for use with students who are deaf or hard of hearing. It describes some general visual teaching strategies, discusses how to develop and use graphic organizers, provides a sample unit and lesson using graphic organizers, and offers examples of visual materials to use with all students.…

This article describes using graphic organizers as a way of assisting students with disabilities in the note-taking process and helping them link the new information to their existing schema of knowledge. It discusses the concept behind graphic organizers, graphic organizer activities, and steps for creating a graphic organizer. (Contains…

Production of an interactive videodisc containing 1981 slides and about 34 minutes of videotape on the topic of orthopedics for physical therapy is described, with attention given to instructional design considerations and the process of producing an interactive program. The videodisc method is seen as optimizing visual learning. (Author/MSE)

Describes the fragmentary recall of aural and visual messages and discusses the implications for instructional design. Topics discussed include cognitive processes; the characteristics and selection of various media and the relationship to fragment processing skills; classroom activities based on fragmentary recall; and direction for further…

This article discusses the strengths of gifted visual-spatial learners and their struggles with simple concepts. Strategies for teaching visual-spatial learners are provided including general strategies, strategies for making material more meaningful, ways to help such students during lectures, foreign language strategies, math strategies, and…

Seven articles in this issue focus on the use of realia in instruction. Authors discuss reasons why realia effectively motivate students and enhance learning; the place of realia in supervised occupational experience programs; the importance of real-life experiences to vocational agriculture; and student teaching as a reality experience. (SK)