Classical Education for Visual Learners

One question raised by parents about a classical education is whether it is too "verbal" for some of their children, and the verbal demands of reading classical history or texts can't be underestimated.

But like great thinkers in all historical times, they come in many different sizes, shapes and varieties. If your young visual thinker is having his mind wander we you talk about Plutarch and Charlemagne, then perhaps you need to spiff up what you're doing to make history, philosophy, and the decisions of great men and women of the past come alive.

Here are some Classical Schooling ideas for Visual and Spatial Learners:

1. The Beauty in Every Time
Visual learners are often aesthetes who may lose their sense of time when studying something that they think is beautiful or amazing. In even the best of intentions to "cover the curriculum", it's wise to remind yourself to find and opportunities for beauty in your visual learner, whether it's in the the archaeological treasures of the past, the powerful images of beautiful or heroic poems, or the hidden treasures in nature.

2. A Visual Picture or Scene for People and Events
If a classical lesson doesn't seem to take, then you might need to provide a visual picture or scene to peg or personalize the events. If some students don't have a peg to hang other information on, knowledge with drift away like the tide. We have used flashcards like these for history, science, and philosophy. They make review more effective and the learning really sticks better.

3. Spatial Talents in Re-enacting Historical Battles and Engineering
Great activities for spatially-talented children involving building and simulations of historical battles. By studying the strategies of famous battles, students can immerse themselves in complex scenarios that involve tactics, geographical terrain, weighing of risks and resources, and contemplation of personal as well as opponents' strengths and weaknesses. Budding architects and engineers can study and try to replicate the various feats of architecture and engineering throughout the centuries.

4. You Were There - Historical Storytelling
Daydreaming children often thrive on the excitement of a good adventure story, and once they get the idea, they may enjoy spinning tales of their own.

5. Computer and Media Studies within a Classical Education
Finally, computer and media studies can definitely be integrated into a classical curriculum. Because of the quantity of literary or historical information relayed in a classical education, it is often easier to find verbal than visual material for your classical learner, but it is important to persevere.

There has never been a greater need to imbue classical studies with the talents that visual learners have to give. When classical education seemed to be on its death's door, it has undergone a rejuvenation because of the world wide resources of the Internet (surge in online Latin and Greek), the many different ways that classical educators can now find kindred spirits, and the interest from non-academic disciplines (contemporary movies, game industries) to learn more about the past.

In our household, our computer literacy and media studies take on many different forms - from simple online work (courses, research), to the study of film representations of classics and history, and lessons in computer programs (Flash, Photoshop, Adobe Premiere / Digital Video) that can allow our kids to express their ideas in a wide range of media.

When we get a chance, we'll post the films that we've used to complement our historical readings, and we'll post links and lessons that we've used to study film analysis as well as share some of our experiences dabbling with video editing. Since our posting about the Medieval Siege links, we've been busy building an elaborate medieval city from the paper templates for our daughter's Medieval Faire at the end of this week. I'll post a picture of this when I think we're just about done!