1. Thinking Visually

2. Learning to think visually
Use your whole brain
Read in pictures
Write in pictures
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3. Using your whole brain…
… Improves your understanding: Right-brain thinking can come to the aid of the left brain
… Makes your memory stronger: Double the storage helps to make memories last
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4. How to read pictures Use the OPTIC system Learn the language of graphs
Watch out for distorted data
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5. The OPTIC system for analyzing graphics
O – Overview the graphic
P – Examine all of its parts
T – Take note of the title
I – Analyze the interrelationships between the graphic’s elements
C – Draw a one or two sentence conclusion about the meaning of the graphic
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6. Learning the language of graphs
Circle graphs – Illustrate the relationship of parts to a whole
Bar graphs and line graphs – Show the relationship of dependent variables to independent variables.
Bar graphs are like snapshots. They usually focus on specific changes
Line graphs are like movies. They normally place the emphasis on trends
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7. Graphical data can be susceptible to distortion
Formats. The aspects of the data that are highlighted – such as averages – can be very misleading
Scale. Changing the scale can make identical information look flat or steep
Context: The area around the graphic can affect your perception of the graphic itself
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8. How to write in pictures
Add illustrations to your notes
Turn abstract ideas into concept maps
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9. Creating a map
Determine the topic. Write it on a sheet of paper and circle it.
Find the important concepts in your text and circle them
Transfer the most important concepts to your map and connect them to the topic.
Cluster the remaining concepts under the principal concepts.
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10. Using concept maps for mastery
Recite your map
Add new concepts to an existing map
Redraw your map in a different configuration
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11. Other uses for concept maps
As summaries: Turn a chapter’s key ideas into nodes for a map
For planning: Maps can be used to organize or outline a paper or report.
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