Do you remember your first day at school? One will
definitely remember the pictures one saw on that day, though they one did not
know the names. One of the greatest tools for education is the picture
vocabulary style of teaching.
Utility value of the Picture Vocabulary
technique
This picture vocabulary method does just what
the name tells. It associates the picture to a word and this helps the person
remember the word easily. The surprising thing is that this method does not
stop at the school level or at the high school level, but carries on to the
professional levels too. Experienced architects and engineers use pictorial
representations to analyze their structures.
Underlying principle of operation
How does this work? There is an innate curiosity
in man firmly implanted in his genes. We see this in the evolutionary phase of
man where he is a traveller and a conqueror. Only another wonder found in
nature surpasses his need to discover new things and visit new places. This is
the replication of basic forms. The wings and legs of many insects and birds
are similar in form and in the manner of usage.
Interaction with Human nature
When a person sees a picture, his senses preempt
his curiosity. The word given alongside is the insect or bird that is similar
to what he has already seen. However, the senses explore the picture trying to
find something new. Whether it fails or succeeds in this, it attributes the
outcome to the word. This is also the reason why people normally like soft
mellifluous words that do not agitate the senses.
Increasing the scope of teaching
Advanced teaching methods incorporate a string
of images that 'tell a story'. The words associated with them take their slots
next to the picture, in the manner most effective for absorption and instant
utilization. There are advantages in this system. First, it increases the
desire to study in the student. He or she will look forward to seeing the
pictures with childish curiosity. This increases the aptitude for studying and
the person feels enervated while studying.
Links that work effectively
Now, the second thing is the association of the
pictures. The ideas revolving around in the mind of the person with some
picture has links to the word. Many of these ideas are the same and are present
in the minds of any normal person. This makes it easy for the person to recall
the word. This technique is finding acceptance because of the ease of use and
the wide range of its applicability.
Understanding the efficacy of the system
The system is efficient for one reason. The mind
accepts pictures more easily. When a person hears words, a machine gun seems to
have bombarded his mind. When he sees pictures, his has his interest kindled
and there is no irritation that words normally cause. The mind thus opens out
to a vastly new experience, one that is more soothing and pleasant.
Improving on the system
Using this system for studying increases
performances and improves the concentration of the individuals. By increasing
the range of the words accommodated, the system is increasing the number of
ideas incorporated as also the complexity. The teacher thus has only a
limitation on the amount of words or ideas that he or she wants to teach and
not on the actual teaching material.
Summarizing the Principle
We have started out into the academic world
through a pictorial dimension. The principle of this picture vocabulary system
is to keep the whole thing simple. A for Apple is all right while A for Abacus
might be tough for some students to assimilate. Second is to have clarity.
Forming pictures of a lion is easy while visualizing light is somewhat hazy.
The intelligence of the person increases when the person is able to express
clearly, what is in his or her mind. A group of people who have their facts
clear, will be able to work in a cohesive and clear manner.
