The Use of Visuals in Undergraduate Neuroscience Education: Recommendations for Educators

Abstract

Introduction: There is a history of overlap between art and science education, particularly in anatomy and other related medical specialties. Technological advances have increased exposure to visual images and creation and sharing of image-based content is commonplace. Statement of the Problem: The use of visual content and activities in education typically declines after early childhood, after which most teaching and learning relies heavily on text-based curricula. Incorporating visual content into education makes optimal use of human cognition; visual and verbal processing channels can operate independently, so using both allows for dual coding and enhanced memory. Literature Review: In this paper, we review the literature on the use of visual techniques in teaching undergraduate neuroscience. Teaching Implications: Image-based content can offer learners an additional cognitive resource and also engage English language learners and those with reading challenges, which might not benefit as much from a solely text-based approach. Conclusion: We recommend educators consider the use of (1) learner-generated drawing, (2) 3-D modeling, and (3) infographics to improve learning outcomes among undergraduate neuroscience students. We provide resources and practical suggestions for implementing the aforementioned techniques.