Visualization Technologies in the Educational Process of Higher Education Institutions: Content and Functional Aspects

The article presents the theoretical and methodological principles of using visualization technologies in higher education institutions. The essential features of the concepts «visual», «visualization» in philosophical and psychological and pedagogical contexts have been revealed. It has been determined that the theoretical basis of the analysis of the content and functions of visualization technologies is the iconic (visual) turn in socio-humanitarian theory and practice. It has been connected with the importance of the visual component of socio-cultural reality, the construction of social practices. The general characteristics of visual thinking have been presented, considering the peculiarities of human visual perception, abilities and skills of transforming information into a visual image. The variability of scientific approaches to the definition of the essence of visualization of educational information, visualization as an educational trend of modernity, has been revealed. The role of visual literacy of students of higher education in ensuring the success of professional and personal development in higher education institutions has been characterized. The main tasks, functions of visualization of educational information in higher education institutions, general characteristics of the forms and means of visualization of educational information (structural and logical schemes, intelligence maps, concept maps, reference notes, infographics, scribing, etc.) have been presented.