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.

WHAT IS A VISUAL AID

A visual aid is an object or representation that may be used to clarify or enhance
understanding of a concept or process. The best way to ensure success in learning is to
present information in different formats for different learners. Visual aids may take the form
of graphs, charts, tables or photographs pertaining to the information being presented. In
demonstrations and group discussions, visual aids may be projected onto a screen, pasted to a
board on an easel or displayed on a television. Visual aids may appear in texts and in handouts. Visual aids do not have to be flat or representational. They may also be the object of a
discussion.

IMPORTANCE OF VISUAL AIDS

The use of visual resources plays a significant role in establishing an effective and fruitful
communication. Here's why visual aids prove to be powerful tools:
Enhancing the Presentation
Visual aids help to add an extra element of interest to the presentation. The subjects which
may seem to be extremely boring, can be made more interesting. This helps to grab the
attention of the listeners as they can now see colorful representations of otherwise boring,
black and white text.

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.

ADVANTAGES OF VISUAL COMMUNICATION

Effective for illiterate receiver
If the receivers are illiterate, the visual communication will be more effective to
exchange information. They can easily understand the information that is presented
visually.
Helps in oral communication
Visual techniques can be used with oral communication. Oral communication
becomes more meaningful if graphs, pictures and diagrams are used with it.
Easy explanation
Everyone can explain the meaning of it very easily. Easy explanation has made the
visual techniques more popular.
Simple presentation
Complex information, data and figures can be easily presented very simply on graphs,
pictures and diagrams.
Prevents wastage of time
Visual techniques help to prevent the wastage of time. Written and oral
communication takes much time to exchange information. But number of receivers
can be communicated at a time through visual methods.
Popular
Visual communication is very much popular because people do not like much speech
and long explanation rather than a chart of a diagram.

DISADVATAGES OF VISUAL AIDS

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.

Problem for general readers

General people are not prefers to communicate through visual communication with
others. Sometimes it cannot create an impression upon people or listeners. It is less
influential and cannot be used everywhere.

TYPES OF VISUAL AIDS

People speak to audiences every day in schools, offices and meeting halls. Using visual aids
helps a speaker to illustrate points to the audience more easily and effectively. For an
audience, visual aids can make speeches easier to follow and more interesting.
Posters
You can craft a poster in a variety of ways. For example, tape or paste a hand-drawn picture
on poster board, or use pictures from other sources. Mount posters on either a chalkboard or
an easel to keep your hands free while you're speaking.
Slide Shows
A slide show effectively illustrates the points you make during a speech. Practice with the
equipment and check to be certain that each slide is in the proper order beforehand. Keep the
slide show short so that it doesn't become the main focus of your speech.
Models
Models are representations of another object that serve to demonstrate that object when use of
the real object is ineffective for some reason. Examples include human skeletal systems, the
solar system, or architecture.
Video
Showing a video can also help an audience to visualize the ideas you present in a speech. The
video, however, should probably be short. You should also be familiar with the video
equipment used during your speech. Cue up the video to the proper starting place before you
begin
Graphs
Graphs are used to visualize relationships between different quantities. Various types are used
as visual aids, including bar graphs, line graphs, pie graphs, and scatter plots.
Maps
Maps show geographic areas that are of interest to the speech. They often are used as aids
when speaking of differences between geographical areas or showing the location of
something.

TIPS FOR USING VISUAL AIDS EFFECTIVELY

1. Plan your presentation before creating visual aids.

Know what you want the audience to do as a result of hearing your presentation. Then
figure out what they need to know to do what you want them to do. Then create a
simple outline that logically and clearly develops your main points. Finally, create
visual aids to support your message.
2. Use visual aids sparingly.
They are aids to your presentation not its sum and substance. Use them to highlight
and support your key points.
3. Make them visible to the entire audience.
Projecting an image people cant see is as senseless as speaking so softly people cant
hear.
4. Talk to the audience, not to the aid.
Look at the audience at least 80% of the time. Avoid turning your back to the
audience.
5. Avoid laser pointers.
Your aid should be so clear that your audience can easily follow along. Use your
hand, if necessary. (If you absolutely have to use a pointer, set it down after you are
finished. Holding on to it will only encourage you to use it for every point on every
slide.)
6. Explain the content of the aid when you first show it.
As soon as you show people an object, they will look at it even if youre talking
about something else. Dont make them divide their attention.
7. When you finish with the aid, remove it, cover it, or turn it off.
(See above.) When using PowerPoint, tap the B key and the screen will go to black.
Tap any other key and the screen light up again.
8. Limit the amount of material on any one aid.
Use each slide to convey a single point. Bullet points no more than four or five per
slide explain, illustrate, or substantiate that one point.
9. Avoid clip art from well-known sources.
Its almost always boring and amateurish. DO use images, graphs, and charts,
whenever possible and appropriate.
10. Be

prepared to give your presentation without your visual aids.

Murphys Law -- "if anything can go wrong, it will" -- applies in spades to anything
involving technology and an audience. Have a backup plan in case something goes
wrong. Take a hard copy of your slides.