Visual Aids in Communication
Visual Aids in Communication
Visual Aids in Communication
INTRODUCTION
Effective communication can be quite challenging, especially when making a presentation or
giving a speech. In order for the communication to be effective, you must keep the attention
of the listeners and deliver the information in such a way that it is fully understood. One of
the most effective ways to get your message across and make it memorable is with visual
aids.
Visual aids are an important tool because different people respond to different learning
modalities. Visual aids also add interest to a discussion. In order to effectively use visual aids,
one must learn from experience what will and won't work for an audience or group of
students. Basically visual aids develop an interest of audience in the topic, maintain their
retention because audience have limited span of interest and immediately, bored. Visual aids
come in the form of physical objects, photographs, and maps to slides, overheads and
presentations. In simple words visual aids are tools used to convey the message with the help
of visible things.
Memorizing
We remember what we see, more than what we don't. Visual images always make a longlasting impact on our minds. Moreover, it is common human tendency to get attracted
towards colorful imagery and pictures. Most of the time, an individual tends to remember
what he/she has seen during his/her childhood, for a lifetime. Such is the power of visuals. It
is always easier to remember them than plain text, and hence, the use of visual resource is
vital.
Concentration
Every individual has a certain limit for his/her concentration. In other words, a person tends
to lose his/her concentration after a certain period of time, after which the capacity of that
person to grasp information decreases. Use of visual aids helps a person to concentrate on a
given object for a longer span of time, as they keep the human mind engaged and entertained,
at the same time.
Repetition of Information
The power to grasp information varies from person to person. While some people can grasp
faster via verbal communication, some others may need the help of visuals in order to
comprehend information. The use of visual resources in communication helps to repeat, with
more clarity, the information that is being conveyed verbally, thus enhancing the chances of
better understanding.
Avoiding Distractions
The use of aids concentrates the attention of the listeners on one particular object, which
becomes a focal point. These results in more attentive listeners as there are lesser possibilities
of distractions. The more attentive the audience, the better are the chances of putting the point
across.
Systematizing Communication
Visual resources enables the speaker to systematically organize large chunks of information
into smaller, more interactive bits. By doing this, the speaker can also design his/her
presentation in a way that he/she effectively communicates with the audience who not only
pay attention, but gain a fruitful experience.
Costly
The visual methods of communication are more costly than those of other methods.
To draw maps, charts, diagram is costly. That is why only large company or
organization can use this technique.
Complex presentation
Sometimes visual presentation of information becomes complex. The receivers cannot
understand the meaning of the presentation.
Incomplete method
This technique is considered as an incomplete method. Visual presentation is not
sufficient to communicate effectively and clearly but also it can be successfully used
with oral communication.
Wastage of time
Sometimes visual techniques take much time to communicate. Whereas oral
communication takes no time to exchange information.
Difficult to understand
Difficult to understand and requires a lot of repetitions in visual communication.
Since it uses gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, touch etc. for communicating
with others which may not be understandable for the simple and foolish people.