Visual Instruction Plan

A Visual Instruction Plan (VIP) has clear steps with pictures.  It is a string of visual prompts.  VIP's can be used for any subject and any grade level.  For children who cannot read yet, omit the words from the VIP.  Use pictures instead.  Some VIP's can be left on the board as rule reminders for the children.  These VIP's can be used as visual cues for the proper way to do things in the classroom, such as carrying a chair across the room.

 

DO THIS

 



NOT THIS

VIP's Accelerate Learning

VIP's reduce the teachers level of frustration.  They can be posted on bulletin boards for future reference.  This comes in handy for students who happened to be absent on the day you were teaching a particular concept.  Use the students to do the work for you.  Have them neatly copy the VIP onto chart paper and have them hang it on the bulletin boards.  Give students extra credit if they copy all of the VIP's neatly into a notebook.  The notebook can be used later as a reference or review for a test.

VIP's Aid Weaning

Jones (2007) states, "A VIP is a body substitute" (p. 78).  Instead of you having to be there to explain the next step, just tell the student which step he or she needs to be doing next and move on to the next student.  After making your rounds, return to the student to verify his or her work and prompt them to move on to the next step.  Eventually this process will become extinct because the students will become accustomed to automaically look at the board for answers to their questions.  By using a VIP you are "operating a program known as DRO - differential reinforcement of other behavior" (Jones, 2007, p. 78).  This is known as independent work.  Students are forced to use the VIP because teachers are enforcing less social reinforcement and more independent work.

VIP's also reduce performance anxiety of help seekers.  At any time, the student can simply look up and see the next step in working out the problem, thus greatly reducing the fear of asking what to do next.  

Types of VIP's

A graphic of the logical development of a train of thought is an outline. Put the idea development of an outline into picture form, and you get a mind map. VIP's, therefore, take three basic forms: Pictures, Outlines (or simple lists), and Mind Maps.

John 13:17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (NIV)

This scripture represents two things.  The first is for the student; if you follow the directions and steps of the VIP's, you will remember how to do similar problems on your own in the future.  The second is for the teacher; if you follow the guidelines and information about VIP's, you won't be running all over the classroom.

HOME; management and discipline defined; visual instruction plans; the physical environment; authority and leadership; proximity and mobility; praise, promt, and leave; say, see, do teaching; calm and consistency; time management; preferred activity time; references