Why Use Visual Aids

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Why Use Visual Aids?
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Physiology Favors Visuals

• More visual orientation
• 33x as many receptive fibers
• 10x as many processing neurons
• 30 vs 3 of the cortex
• More processing speed
• 5x faster reading than speaking

Source Lindstrom, R. (2002). Being visual,
http//www.presentersuniversity.com/courses/show_
vausing.cfm?RecordID239
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Visual and Auditory Complement

• Additional sensory channel
• Both right and left brain
• Synergy improves understanding
• Retention increases dramatically

Sources Lindstrom, R. (2002). Being visual,
http//www.presentersuniversity.com/courses/show_
vausing.cfm?RecordID239 Visual presentation of
research results, http//www.iita.org/info/trn_mat
/irg45/irg451.htm Using visual aids in oral
presentations, http//www.uwtc.washington.edu/cour
ses/tc333/oralpresent/visuals_summary.html
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Research Results

• Visuals can be used
• To improve communication effectiveness
• To improve audience's perceptions of presenter
• To improve speaker's confidence

Source Why use visuals in the first place?,
http//www.plu.edu/libr/workshops/multimedia/why.
html citing The 3M/Wharton School study (A
Study of the Effects of the Use of Overhead
Transparencies on Business Meetings, Wharton
Applied Research Center, Wharton School,
University of Pennsylvania, 1981) and the
University of Minnesota/3M study (Vogel, Douglas
R., Gary W. Dickson, and John A. Lehman,
Persuasion and the Role of Visual Presentation
Support The UM/3M Study, 1986)
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Improved Communication Effectiveness

• Attention
• Comprehension
• Agreement
• Retention
• Action

Source Why use visuals in the first
place?http//www.plu.edu/libr/workshops/multimed
ia/why.html
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Effectiveness Improves Because

• Listeners follow the message organization
• Listeners expectations are met
• Listeners can visualize concepts and comparisons

Sources Virtual Presentation Assistant, Using
visual aids, http//www.ku.edu/cwis/units/coms2/vp
a/vpa7.htm Preparing any visual aids,
http//www.surrey.ac.uk/Skills/pack/comms/visuals.
html Cheek, J. Beeman. C., Using visual aids in
extension teaching, http//edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_
MG098
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Visuals Also

• Reinforce auditory messages
• Add variety and emphasis
• Add authenticity and reality

Sources Virtual Presentation Assistant, Using
visual aids, http//www.ku.edu/cwis/units/coms2/vp
a/vpa7.htm Preparing any visual aids,
http//www.surrey.ac.uk/Skills/pack/comms/visuals.
html Cheek, J. Beeman. C., Using visual aids in
extension teaching, http//edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_
MG098
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Improved Speaker Perception
Speakers are seen as more

• Prepared
• Professional
• Persuasive

• Credible
• Interesting

Source Why use visuals in the first place?
http//www.plu.edu/libr/workshops/multimedia/why.
html
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Improved Speaker Confidence

• Speakers feel
• Organized
• Prepared

Source Why use visuals in the first place?
http//www.plu.edu/libr/workshops/multimedia/why.
html
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Visuals Help the Speaker

• Transmit information efficiently
• Emphasize key points
• Explain material
• Remember the presentation and order

Sources Virtual Presentation Assistant, Using
visual aids, http//www.ku.edu/cwis/units/coms2/vp
a/vpa7.htm Preparing any visual aids,
http//www.surrey.ac.uk/Skills/pack/comms/visuals.
html Cheek, J. Beeman. C., Using visual aids in
extension teaching, http//edis.ifas.ufl.edu/BODY_
MG098