Transform your Teaching: Module 2: Lesson 5: Introduction to Visual Capture Sheets
Visual capture sheets are a technique used to collate and collect information. They are essentially a visual way to ask for and display feedback, reflections or data.
I like to use them in my webinars, training sessions and classes instead of surveys.
As with visual templates, there are many different kinds, each of which can be used in multiple ways.
The sliding scale wheel.
This wheel is a good way to visualise participants thoughts, beliefs or experiences. I often use this in my workshops and training sessions.
I ask participants what ways they use drawings. They can they mark (in the middle of the pie slices) how frequently they use each on a scale from zero to ten. Zero = I never do this. 10 = I do this all the time.
As with visual templates, capture sheets are versatile. For example, you can use this design:
– In a video conferencing app such as Zoom. Participants can select their rating using the annotation tools as part of a group task.
– In Jamboard or Google Slides. Participants can create their own copy of the capture sheet and select their own rating. This rating can remain confidential or be used as part of a discussion. This is a great way to get individualised feedback without sending a multiple choice survey.
– On paper. Participants can mark their rating individually. They could use their own individual wheel on A4 paper or their own notebooks.
– Flipchart or whiteboard. In a face to face context, you could ask participants to add their ratings using post it notes.
It can be an interesting task to compare how ratings change at the beginning and end of a course. For example, you could ask learners to rate how they feel about various aspects of their learning (e.g. reading, writing, speaking, listening, pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, homework) at the start of a course, then look back and see how they have developed throughout the course.
Can you think of any other ways to use this style of capture sheet? Share your ideas in the Facebook group.
The Feedback Fairy
The feedback fairy uses a variety of containers to capture people’s thoughts on a training session or course. She tends to inspire and add a bit of magic to the end of a course.
The containers represent:
– Heart = something you loved
– Speech bubble = something you’ll tell others
– Wand = something you wish had been in the session
– Brain (or thought bubble) = something you thought
– Toolbox = a resource or tool you want to use or a key takeaway
– Bin = something you would remove
When asking for feedback, consider what information you’d like to know. Write down a few key words. Then consider what icons or containers could represent each point. Then create a capture sheet. It doesn’t need to have a central feature, such as a fairy – a series of separate containers can be just as effective.
For example, at IATEFL one year, I used one sheet of flipchart paper for each section of feedback I wanted. i drew one container on each sheet and asked people to add their thoughts.
I’d now like you to create your own visual capture sheet!
Think of a class you are teaching, a webinar you are giving or a survey you want to create (for example). What information do you want to capture? Draw your own visual capture sheet.
You may want to return to the ‘Module 1: Build your Visual Vocabulary: Containers’ lesson for ideas. Remember you can always search online for images of ‘icons’ to help you draw too.
Share it in the Facebook Group for feedback and to inspire others. If you use it, let us know how it went.
