When to use image occlusion
Masking labels can be useful when the position of a part matters to the task. It asks you to identify something in a diagram, which is different from explaining how a whole system works.
By Zehano · Original AI-assisted explanation and worked example · Updated 16 October 2026 · Editorial approach
A worked example
Use your own plant diagram. Cover the words root, stem and leaf, leaving the structures visible. Identify each before revealing it. Then go beyond the labels: explain what would be missing from a diagram with no roots. This second task tests a relationship rather than only the name at a familiar location.
Try it in three steps
- Use an image you own or have permission to use.
- Place masks over labels without covering the relevant structure.
- Check each label and add a separate explanation question.
What to watch for
Recognising a familiar illustration may not transfer to a differently drawn diagram. Practise with varied permitted examples, and do not upload private records or images you cannot share on your device.
Apply it to your own material
Choose one topic from your current course or project. Write down the question you want to answer, make an attempt, and keep a note of how you checked it. Use the example above as a pattern; replace its subject matter and assumptions rather than copying an answer into a different task.
Open Image Occlusion Studio ↗Background reading
These sources explain the broader learning principles. Zehano’s examples and software are original; they are not endorsed or individually evaluated by the source authors. This guide is not a systematic evidence review.
- Learning Scientists: six strategies for effective learning
- Retrieval Practice: learning by bringing information to mind