Dual Coding Theory

Dual Coding Theory…is it effective?

Image from speakingaboutpresenting.com

       As an educator currently studying about different visual theories of communication, the question of its effectiveness has been posed. The visual theory I have taken an interest in is that of “dual coding.” The author of dual coding is Allan Paivio of the University of Western Ontario. According to Wikipedia, “Dual Coding Theory” (2010), this theory states that both visual and verbal information are processed differently and along distinct channels with the human mind creating separate representations for information processed in each channel. Both visual and verbal codes for representing information are used to organize incoming information into knowledge that can be acted upon, stored, and retrieved for subsequent use.
       There have been many studies that support this theory as being effective. According to the same article “Dual Coding Theory” in Wikipedia (2010), supporting evidence comes from research that shows that memory for some verbal information is enhanced if a relevant visual is also presented or if the learner can imagine a visual image to go with the verbal information. Likewise visual information can often be enhanced when paired with relevant verbal information, whether real-world or imagined (Anderson and Bower, 1973). I also have seen evidence of its effectiveness, within my own classroom. While teaching the third grade, I noticed some of my students were having trouble memorizing the meaning of the vocabulary words. So I decided to try something with them. I decided to use both pictures and words together. Instead of just having them define the vocabulary word, I assigned them to illustrate the word in order to help them memorize its meaning in their own way. (Of course I checked for validity of their pictures to match the meaning so they would be studying the correct meaning of the word. ) After the students completed this task, they began doing much better with their vocabulary words. And why wouldn’t they? They were using both words (verbal) and pictures (visual) to memorize the meanings of the words. Doesn’t that typically make memorization easier?
       Think back to a time when you had to build something or put something together. Do you remember what the directions said? Probably not! But could you remember (even vaguely) what that diagram looked like of the item you were putting together? Odds are you can answer “Yes” to that! For example, when I put together a storage unit (nothing crazy, it was from Target) I basically just looked at the visual diagram to put it together. Of course the descriptive words helped as well, so the visual and verbal combination was a “win-win” for me as I put together the storage unit without any help. (This is a big feat for me! I typically make a phone call if a battery needs to be changed.) I could even probably do the same task again, even faster the second time around because it was stored into my memory. With just the directions, I probably would have been able to complete the storage unit, but it would have taken me a lot longer to do so. The visual image of the step by step process, as well as of the completed product, definitely enabled me to complete the task at hand in a much quicker time frame.
       How do you feel about the “dual coding theory?” Have you seen it work in your classroom and/or in your personal life? As I’ve been researching this topic, I’ve come across some great informative sites/videos. One site I'd like to share http://tip.psychology.org/paivio.html and one video I’d like to share is as follows (this video was created by Eric Langhorst of Walden University posted on http://www.youtube.com/):