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Visual learning is a type of learning style in which students use images, graphics, colors and maps to communicate ideas and thoughts. Visual learners can prefer using visual stimulation because it helps them learn and memorize better.
But, is visual learning effective? What percentage of the population consider themselves visual learners? Is visual learning really better than other methods of absorbing information?
My updated visual learning statistics guide for 2024 has everything you need to know.
Use this jump link to quickly jump to the KEY STATS section.
Also, all the references and resources I used in crafting my guide are listed at the bottom of the page.
Let’s go!
Jump here: Key Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year| Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year (Detailed Info)
Table of Contents
Key Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year
Key Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for 2024
- 65% of the population are visual learners. (Study.com)
- More than 50% of our brain’s surface is used to process visuals. (Dingley.com)
- We can remember 65% of visual information after three days. In comparison, after three days, people retain only 10-20% of written or spoken information. (Dingley.com)
- An adult can maintain full focus for about a minute (67 seconds for older adults, 76 seconds for younger adults). Study.com)
- It takes the brain 13 milliseconds to process an image. The brain can also see images that last for just 13 milliseconds. (mit.edu)
- Adding color makes visuals 39% more memorable. Study.com)
- Our eyes can register 36,000 visual messages per hour. (Dingley.com)
- We can get the sense of a visual scene in less than 1/10 of a second. (Dingley.com)
- 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual. (mit.edu)
- Visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text. (mit.edu)
- 40% of nerve fibers are linked to the retina. (Xerox.com)
- Use of visuals have been found to improve learning by up to 400%. (Dingley.com)
- An illustrated text was 9% more effective than text alone when testing immediate comprehension. (Xerox.com)
- An illustrated text was 83% more effective when the comprehension test was delayed. (mit.edu)
- 40% of learners respond better to visual information than text alone. (Xerox.com)
- Color can make emails and other written materials 39% more memorable. Study.com)
- Reading boring official documents like contracts or policies can be 80% faster with color. Study.com)
Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for This Year (Detailed Info)
What Percentage of the Population are Visual Learners?
65% of the population are visual learners. This statistic clearly underscores the importance of incorporating visual elements in both E-learning and traditional courses. It suggests that the majority of students will benefit from graphical content in their learning materials.
How Much of our Brain’s Surface is Used to Process Visuals?
More than 50% of our brain’s surface is used to process visuals. Humans can get the sense of a visual scene in less than 1/10 of a second.
How Much Visual Information can we Remember After Three Days?
Humans can remember 65% of visual information after three days. Compare that to written and spoken material where recall is far weaker.
Namely, after three days most people can only remember 10-20% of what was spoken or written (that they heard or read).
Clearly, presenting information visually wins, but perhaps the best approach is to combine all three methods for the best results while also accommodating the preferred learning styles of 100% of people.
How Long can an Adult Maintain Full Focus?
An adult can maintain full focus for about a minute (67 seconds for older adults, 76 seconds for younger adults).
This short attention span highlights the importance of breaking down information into digestible chunks. It also suggests the potential benefits of combining microlearning techniques with visual elements, as people remember visuals better (as you’ve seen from the previous stat above).
How Long Does it Take the Brain to Process an Image?
It takes the brain 13 milliseconds to process an image. The brain can also see images that last for just 13 milliseconds. 13 milliseconds is far too fast and is imperceptible to the conscious human mind and eye, but the brain’s perception is much better and it subconsciously still notices.
How Much More Memorable are Visuals When Color is Added?
Adding color makes visuals 39% more memorable. Color not only adds aesthetic appeal but also significantly enhances retention of the learning material. This statistic suggests that using color strategically in eLearning materials can boost their effectiveness, especially in the corporate setting where employee training materials are often bland and uninspiring.
How Many Visual Messages can our Eyes Register per Hour?
Our eyes can register 36,000 visual messages per hour. You’ll never be sending anyone 36 000 visual messages in a any given hour, but it’s worth knowing as this high capacity for visual input demonstrates the power of visual communication for teaching.
What Percentage of Information Transmitted to the Brain is Visual?
90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual. This is because more than 50% of our brain’s surface is used to process visuals but also because eyes for us humans act as windows into the world. We humans are visual creatures through and through.
For example, visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text and 40% of nerve fibers are linked to the retina.
By How Much can Visuals Improve Learning?
Visuals have been found to improve learning by up to 400%.
How Much More Effective is Illustrated Text for Immediate Comprehension?
In a recent study illustrated text was found to be 9% more effective than text alone when testing immediate comprehension. The same study showed that an illustrated text was 83% more effective when the comprehension test was delayed.
This suggest human brain needs some time to process the material it saw, including the visuals within the content.
What Percentage of Learners Respond Better to Visual Information Than Text Alone?
40% of learners respond better to visual information than text alone.
How Much More Memorable can Color Make Written Materials?
Color can make emails and other written materials 39% more memorable and infinitely more enjoyable.
For example, official company documents like long contracts and policies are know joy killers. Studies (which I link in the footer btw) have shown that reading official documents like contracts or policies can be 80% faster with color.
And if it goes by faster that means it’s less painful:)
Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for 2024- FAQ
What is Visual Learning (Definition)?
Definition: Visual learning is a learning style where people learn best when information is presented visually, such as through diagrams, charts, videos, or color-coded notes.
Can You Provide Examples of Visual Learning Styles?
Visual learners tend to be be detail-oriented, organized, and have a preference for using symbols, colors and shapes to organize information.
Examples of learning methods that visual learners use are using graphic organizers such as flow charts mind maps, diagrams, graphs, and sketch notes.
Another example is the usage of highlighters and notecards when studying information, especially dry information that makes you wanna take a nap.
How Does Visual Learning Compare to Auditory Learning?
Visual learning process and auditory learning method are not in competition. Each way of learning is effective when paired with a person who has a preference for it.
In other words, visual learners will do better learning visually than auditory. And the reverse is true as well. Auditory learner will thrive with auditory lessons and do worse with predominantly visual lessons.
How Does Visual Learning Compare to Kinesthetic Learning?
Visual and kinesthetic learning methods are not in competition. Each way of learning is effective when paired with a person who has a preference for it.
In other words, visual learners will do better learning visually than kinesthetically. And the reverse is true as well. Kinesthetic learner will thrive with kinesthetic, interactive lessons and actually doing what they’re supposed to learn and do worse with predominantly visual lessons.
Read my kinesthetic learning statistics guide next.
What are the Benefits of Visual Learning?
- Improved comprehension– Visual aids like diagrams, videos, pie charts and infographics can help learners understand complex concepts and processes.
- Increased engagement– Visual learning is often more engaging than traditional classroom methods. And more engagement= increased focus and better memory (knowledge retention).
- Promotes creativity– visual literacy practices help students develop their creativity and express their thoughts and opinions.
- Stimulates emotions– Visuals and emotions are processed in the same part of the brain, so they work together to create strong memories which reduces learning loss with the passage of time.
How do Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic Learning Styles Differ?
Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic learning styles differ by the way of imparting knowledge to students, pupils, anyone who’s learning anything.
Visual learners absorb information by sight. Auditory learners absorb information by sound. Kinesthetic learners absorb information by moving their bodies.
How Can Visual Aids Enhance Math Learning?
Visual cues do help with math learning.
Visual representations of mathematical concepts and relationships aid students to make sense of complex information and develop the analytical thinking skills.
In What Ways Can Pictures Support Visual Learning?
Pictures support visual learning by showing the information instead of telling it.
Is Visual Learning Considered a Scientifically Valid Concept, or is it Potentially a Myth?
Visual learning is a myth according to science. There is currently no scientific evidence that visual learning is better than auditory and kinesthetic learning methods.
That said, there’s something there as as much of 65% of the global population say they’re visual learners. The remaining 35% are auditory and kinesthetic learners which means they’re not visual learners. So by saying they’re not visual learners they’re confirming it’s existence.
Basically, science (especially learning psychology) and popular opinion are at total odds here.
How Does Visual Learning Help Students in Their Educational Journey?
Visual learning helps visual learners absorb material faster with better retention.
What are Some Practical Tips and Strategies for Improving Visual Learning Skills?
The number #1 practical tip for improving your visual learning skills is to not force it. If you’re a kinesthetic or auditory learner then you won’ be able to force yourself to learn visually.
That said, everyone can learn visually to a degree, so here’s what you should do to improve your visual learning skills.
- Take notes– Writing things down and drawing illustrations helps you remember them better.
- Use visual aids– Charts, diagrams, pictures, and videos can help introduce new material, reinforce concepts, and support struggling learners.
- Use color– color code your notes and binders to help you identify items faster.
- Flashcards– flashcards are great for memorizing terms and definitions. You can write new vocabulary words on colored index cards with short definitions on the back.
- Draw concept maps– draw a shape around key terms and then draw lines to show how they relate to other words or concepts.
- Watch videos– videos of live lectures can help you learn better and faster.
Visual Learning Statistics, Facts and Trends for 2024 (Conclusion)
My updated guide for 2024 lists the best and latest statistics, facts and trends about visual learning and how to best take advantage of it.
I hope you enjoyed it because the guide is now over.
Read these resources next:
- Lack of training in the workplace statistics
- Benefits of learning a foreign language statistics
- Learning through play statistics
- In-person vs online learning statistics
- Upskilling statistics
- Distance learning statistics
- EdTech market statistics
- Summer learning loss statistics
- Learning disabilities statistics
- Learning management systems statistics
During my research, I consulted these resources below:
References:
- Visual learning statistics for online learning and training (definition, benefits, statistics)- https://training.safetyculture.com/blog/visual-learning-statistics/
- Visual Learner Statistics: Understanding the Power of Visual Learning- https://wifitalents.com/statistic/visual-learner/
- VISUAL LEARNING IN CHILDREN- https://visionfirsteyecare.com/articles/visual-learning-in-children/
- Studies Confirm the Power of Visuals to Engage Your Audience in eLearning- https://www.shiftelearning.com/blog/bid/350326/studies-confirm-the-power-of-visuals-in-elearning
- 11 Startling Statistics that Underscore the Value of Visual Marketing- https://dingley.com/11-startling-statistics-that-underscore-the-value-of-visual-marketing/
- “65 percent of people are visual learners (learning theory)” is lazy journalism- https://lightbulbmoment.info/2018/11/03/65-percent-of-people-are-visual-learners-is-lazy-journalism/
- The Role of Visual Learning in Improving Students’ High-Order
Thinking Skills- https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1112894.pdf - Top Visual Learning Facts and Statistics for 2024- https://www.wp-tonic.com/top-visual-learning-facts-and-statistics-for-2024/
- The Role of Visual Learning in Improving Student Performance- https://www.puppetry.com/posts/the-role-of-visual-learning-in-improving-student-performance
- Creating visual explanations improves learning- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5256450/
- Visual versus auditory learning and visual memory recall performance on short-term versus long-term tests- https://scholar.utc.edu/mps/vol15/iss1/6/
- Rule #10: Vision trumps all other senses.- https://brainrules.net/vision/
- In the blink of an eye MIT neuroscientists find the brain can identify mental images seen for as little as 13 milliseconds.- https://news.mit.edu/2014/in-the-blink-of-an-eye-0116
- 20 Ways to Share Color Knowledge- https://www.office.xerox.com/latest/COLFS-02UA.PDF
- Visual Learner Statistics: Facts and Trends [2024]- https://jobera.com/visual-learner-statistics
- https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/ LearningStylesMyth- Am I a visual learner? – The learning styles myth by Jonathan Firth
- Visual Learning: A Definitive Guide to the V in VARK- https://www.continu.com/blog/visual-learning
- Visual Learning Style | Facts, Characteristics & Examples- https://study.com/academy/lesson/visual-learning-style-definition-characteristics.html
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.