Are visual examples good products or a waste of time?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 22:35:53 -0500

Visual examples are great and help some understand the point being conveyed. Soldiers today are all about pictures or diagrams that show them the standard. Build a diagram or picture of how an IOTV is supposed to be setup and the Soldiers understand and love the visual help.

Some will say spending the effort to build a visual example is a waste of time. I feel it isn't so much a waste of time as that person doesn't want to build one or doesn't know how.

Being an aviation airframe repairer I found it was easier to convey my point when I drew it out. Others would instantly relate and be able to offer advice, provide suggestions or ask questions.

I have felt taking the time to make a map, diagram or picture reference has helped my Soldiers understand better and given them a leg up over other units.

One thing that aggravates me about visual examples are when they are done poorly and the person doesn't care and pushes out a poor product. One recent frustration is an example that HRC posted on their website about Afghanistan/Iraq campaign stars. The attached picture clearly shows the 2 stars being equally spaced on the ribbon. However 670-1 states

Service stars are worn to denote an additional award or
service in a named campaign and are centered on the ribbon and suspension ribbon with one point upward. Additional service stars are worn side by side, each with one point upward.

What way is correct, the picture (spaced out) or the regulation (side by side)? If it is the regulation why would the awards section post a picture that shows something different than what the regulation says?

This is a great example of a good visual example but done poorly and leaves a person to possibly set their ribbon up the wrong way. Should it be fixed or just refer all questions to AR 670-1?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 10:50 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 22:50:09 -0500

When I was teaching 9th grade English, my students had very low reading comprehension scores. I figured out that the problem is that they do not make a picture in their heads when they read (I blame visual media because the pictures/videos tell the story more than the words).

In any event, an image can convey meaning instantly. The words provide clarification and let me know what to attend to (using your example: oh, a single point of the star must be at the top...got it). Both are necessary.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 11:05 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 23:05:02 -0500

I'm super visual, when I take notes in meetings or any kind of information being pushed out I'm drawing pictures more than I'm writing words. You tell me how to pack a ruck like a geological layer and I'm on it. Tell me what needs to go in it, and I'll spend all day stuffing and tightening straps.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2014 11:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 23:05:44 -0500

1SG, the Barney Style and KISS method holds true with any class. Generally it guarantees that people of all intelligence and book smarts will be able to at least get the gist of what you are trying to convey and hopefully have the humility and intestinal fortitude to ask questions.

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Feb 21 at 2014 11:15 PM

LT Jessica Kellogg — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 23:15:45 -0500

There are numerous studies about how people have different styles of learning.

Most common are:

Verbal/oral

Verbal//written

Visual

Physical (learn by doing)

While it's not possible to incorporate each style, including the visuals will help your message get through to the visual learners in your group.

Response by SSG Alexander Hoffman made Feb 22 at 2014 12:14 AM

SSG Alexander Hoffman — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 00:14:23 -0500

I think visual products, WHEN DONE RIGHT, are a great learning tool. My pet peeve is when PowerPoint slides are used as a script. A slideshow should give good visual examples and display key points. We all have horror stories about leaders who do nothing but "read the slides" aloud during a class. The flip side of that also holds true: When creating a slideshow, don't just put a script on the screen. Practice your brief. If you find yourself reading word for word off the slide, cut the slide down.

Response by SPC Dan Goforth made Feb 22 at 2014 12:20 AM

SPC Dan Goforth — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 00:20:13 -0500

Top, you pretty much said it. A well made visual example, in the appropriate situation, tremendously helps in conveying the message. Let's not forget,"A picture is worth a thousand words."

A crap job is a waste of time, and accomplishes nothing. Also, there are times when a visual example really means nothing. It's all about the practice.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2014 12:22 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Feb 2014 00:22:55 -0500

Helps when I attach the picture I reference.