Is a picture worth a thousand words?
One group of employees are faced with a long list of stats: immediately their brains are overwhelmed by trying to process the influx of information and are disengaged from the content.
A second group are shown their vital company stats by using an infographic; the data, content and design is presented with graphical elements providing the user with visual keys to the information alongside it. As a result, employees are stimulated and dry information is transformed into a content which is not only interesting, easy to digest but it also encourages retention.
They aren’t the only employers using infographics as a powerful training tool. The last few years have seen infographics become an internet phenomenon. Using images in learning content is nothing new, yet data-centric infographics became the latest must-have graphical tool for every business. However, infographics are more than just a contemporary buzzword; their use in training has provided a unique and enjoyable means of presenting statistical information and company facts or concepts which are hard to understand.
Origins of images for learning
Image-based learning has been around since the beginning of human civilisation - think of the use of cave drawings for storytelling and the shapes constructed to recognise star constellations. We are built to consume images; this begins in early childhood with highly-visual books and learning tools, yet image-based learning seems to taper off outside of traditional education.
Play to your strengths
Several studies have shown that we are visually wired; our eyes are a sensory tool and information given to us in a graphical format makes light work of retention and understanding. Otherwise known as data visualisation, information displayed with images stimulates the sensory memory and results in a quick analysis of the content. It’s estimated that around 65% of us are dominantly visual learners, couple this with the fact that 70% of sensory receptors are in the eyes and it’s clear that using images for learning seems like a logical decision.
Make it snappy
Why is it that the last few years have seen the popularity of infographics explode? In short, our impatience and attention span have a lot to do with this! The way that we consume and receive information has changed. The population’s mass usage of the internet means that we are bombarded with information daily – emails, social networking, online news sites, blogs...the list goes on. As a result of continuously wading through this information, online users have a taste for short, succinct information. This is reinforced by shortened attention spans due to technology, as we crave information and answers instantly.
Share the knowledge
Image-based social media is incredibly popular; people are used to sharing images - whether these are personal photos, memes or infographics - and thousands have flocked to image sharing sites such as Pinterest and Instagram. When it comes to interesting, factual content, we love to share. Learners love to pass on their knowledge to others and by making infographics visually appealing, they will be even keener to share these with their peers.
To help your employees get to grips with complex company information, then please get in touch with a member of our team.