Visual Learning: The Key to Improving Translation Training Effectiveness

According to the Social Science Research Network, approximately 65% of the population are visual learners. Studies have shown that the eye can process 36,000 visual messages per hour, and 90% of the information is transmitted to the brain through the visual pathway. In the past two years, face-to-face training has gradually shifted to distance learning, and the use of visual elements has become particularly important, especially for e-learning training in the translation industry. The introduction of visuals can greatly improve the return on investment.

How can visual elements improve translation learning?

Use infographics to enhance memory: Infographics not only attract attention, but also help learners better understand and remember a large number of translation techniques, terms or processes. In the translation industry, when dealing with complex information, infographics can present difficult-to-understand concepts in an intuitive way, thereby deepening learners' memory.

Accelerate learning through videos: According to an article in Psychology Today, “Video vs. Text: The Brain’s Perspective,” the brain processes video 60,000 times faster than text. For the translation industry, learners can more quickly understand translation techniques, how to use tools, and how to process different types of text by watching actual operation videos of the translation process. Short videos can improve the efficiency of information processing and help learners better remember translation techniques.

Increase interactivity through roles and avatars: Roles and avatars provide learners with a personalized training experience, helping them to more easily resonate with emotions. In translation training, virtual characters can simulate translation scenarios, allowing learners to better understand the challenges that may be encountered in the translation process through role-playing, thereby increasing participation and learning motivation.

What does this mean for translation learners?

Learners retain information more accurately and longer if training content is presented in a visual format. Studies have shown that videos and images go directly into long-term memory. When translation concepts are combined with relevant pictures, infographics, or videos, learners are able to absorb and retain this information more efficiently than if they relied on text or audio alone. This not only speeds up the learning process, but also significantly improves retention.

Future trends in visual learning

Before 2020, many translation companies had already begun to adopt remote training methods, and with the outbreak of the global epidemic, remote learning has become the norm. According to reports, the online learning service and e-learning market is expected to grow by 15% annually by 2025, with a total market value of US$50 billion. With the popularity of e-learning, the translation industry has become increasingly dependent on this tool for professional skills training.

For translation companies, e-learning is becoming an indispensable tool that helps companies improve their employees' professional capabilities while saving training costs. Studies have shown that with distance learning, learners can gain more knowledge at a lower cost. By incorporating visual elements, translation companies can not only improve learning efficiency, but also help employees better master translation skills.

Today, the latest trend in visual learning is extended reality (XR), including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR). These technologies create a more immersive and interactive learning environment for the translation industry, and are expected to greatly improve the effectiveness and participation of translation training in the future.

If you want to further improve the effectiveness of translation training, please contact our team to discuss how to optimize your training content through visual learning technology to help your team learn and grow more efficiently.

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