It is helpful to remember that all behavior are a means of communication. The challenge for us, as VTS facilitators, is to identify what our students are trying to tell us through their visual perception, utilizing Visual Thinking Strategies to challenge their behavior.

VTS challenges for students

• Students cultivate a willingness and ability to present their own ideas, while respecting and learning from the perspectives of their peers.
• They become able to expand their perceptions of art rather than reacting to it impulsively. The thoughts and perceptions of others provides an opportunity to see images from a new perspective and offers insight in ways students may not have thought of before.
• Verbal behavior is challenged when facilitators paraphrase and frame stated opinions. Repeating students’ visualizations is important to maintain attention and challenge listening behavior.
• Linking various points-of-view supports communication. Debating and building on the ideas of others, young people stretch their reasoning skills. VTS also capitalises natural, visual, skills and provides a space for students to connect their points-of-view with their personal and/or professional background.

VTS challenges for facilitators

• Acknowledging every comment shows respect and understanding for each participant. It encourages participation, and participation insures engagement.
• Emphasizing there are no right or wrong perceptions, has a strong influence on developing a two-way communication between students and facilitators.
• Use of conditional language keeps the discussion open for various view-points.
• Use of non-verbal language/behaviour, tone-of-voice, positioning, pointing, eye contact, motivate students to respond.
• Always deal with questions in a way that reveals how to acquire the information. Students will learn how to use appropriate resources, finding out what they want to know as a step towards independent learning.

Through use of Visual Thinking Strategies, teachers and trainers can provide students with key behaviours sought by Common Core Standards: thinking skills become habitual and transfer from lesson-to-lesson, oral and written language literacy, visual literacy, collaborative interactions.