Creating Visual Representations
Overview
Students activate more cognitive processes by exploring and representing their understandings in visual form. Visual representations allow learners to exhibit what they know and can do in alternative ways that can support Working Memory during problem solving and retention of information in Long-term Memory.
Example: Use This Strategy in the Classroom
Watch elementary students draw pictures to solve a word problem. By creating visuals and thinking aloud, learners demonstrate their mathematical understanding of Operations and Symbolic Number.
Design It into Your Product
Videos are chosen as examples of strategies in action. These choices are not endorsements of the products or evidence of use of research to develop the feature.
Watch how Math Word Problems provides multiple visual options for learners to show their work and solve word problems. Through sketching the problem, tapping the ten frames, or displaying the number path, learners can choose the method that works best for them.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Active Learning Strategies
Building with blocks is ideal for promoting early geometric and Spatial Skills.
When students explain their thinking process aloud with guidance in response to questions or prompts, they recognize the strategies they use and solidify their understanding.
Free choice supports learner interests and promotes the development of more complex social interactions.
Imagining allows students to step back from a problem or task and think about it from multiple angles.
Math games use numbers and Spatial Skills, allowing students to practice many math skills in a fun, applied context.
Project-based learning (PBL) actively engages learners in authentic tasks designed to create products that answer a given question or solve a problem.
Response devices boost engagement by encouraging all students to answer every question.
