Because safety training is an ongoing activity in your workplace, it makes sense to find new ways of keeping employees involved. The use of visuals, including images and videos, can play a key role in this process.
Although safety trainers tend to avoid using pictures in their materials, “All of the research on learning with pictures indicates that pictures used in combination with words create better learning,” says Jack Massa, owner of Guidance Communications, Inc. (www.guidancecom.com). Massa uses a broad definition of “pictures” to include “any visual that is meant to represent something, either concrete or abstract;” everything from high-definition stock photos through diagrams to simple line drawings.
He recommends careful selection of visuals. A common mistake is using them as “decorations” that represent an idea or concept, rather than educational tools that support the specific learning content.
Another frequent error is failure to keep visuals in mind. Just as trainers think about how to express concepts in words, they also need to decide how they will communicate ideas visually.
Massa offers these guidelines for selecting picture:
- Decide which types of visuals are best suited to the content. For example, a flowchart can be effective when training on a new process or procedure.
- Use good graphic design principles. Look for consistency in the visual presentation, and don’t combine different styles of clip art.
- Leave out extraneous information. Keep drawings and diagrams simple and only include text that supports learning.
Remember, one picture can be worth 1,000 words.
