Dual coding: combine words and pictures to learn more
TutorAura guide · Updated
Dual coding means learning information in two forms, words and visuals, at the same time. The idea comes from psychologist Allan Paivio's dual coding theory, which proposes that we process verbal and visual information in separate but connected systems, so linking the two gives you two routes back to a memory (Clark and Paivio, 1991). It's one of the six learning strategies promoted by The Learning Scientists.
Key takeaways
- Pair words with a visual: diagram, timeline, chart or simple drawing.
- The visual should explain, not decorate.
- Redraw the visual from memory to test yourself.
- You don't need to be good at art.
Types of visuals
| Visual | Good for | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Labelled diagram | Structures | The heart, a cell, a plant |
| Timeline | Order of events | Causes of World War One |
| Flowchart | Processes | The water cycle, an algorithm |
| Graph | Relationships | Rate of reaction vs temperature |
| Comparison table | Similarities and differences | Mitosis vs meiosis |
| Simple icons | Abstract ideas | A scale for "justice" |
How to use it
- Read or listen to the explanation.
- Draw a visual that captures it, with short labels.
- Explain the visual aloud, linking words to each part.
- Close your notes and redraw it from memory. Check and fix.
- Use the redrawn version on flashcards: the flashcard maker works well for the words, and paper cards for sketches.
Examples by subject
- Maths: draw the diagram for every geometry or word problem; use a bar model for ratio and fractions. Our Pythagoras calculator draws the triangle for you.
- Biology: labelled diagrams of organs and processes.
- History: timelines with icons for causes and consequences.
- English: a character's arc as a graph across the novel.
- Geography: annotated maps and cross-sections.
Common mistakes
- Decoration, not explanation: a pretty picture that doesn't carry the idea adds little.
- Too much text on the visual.
- Only copying diagrams from the textbook without redrawing them from memory.
- Spending too long on art. Stick figures and boxes are fine.
Dual coding in maths
Explanations that combine a diagram with spoken or written steps are a natural fit for dual coding. When you work through a maths problem with a tutor, ask them to draw it, then try to redraw it yourself. For geometry, sketch every shape and label what you know before calculating; for algebra, a bar model or number line can show what an equation means. Seeing and saying a method together gives you two ways to remember it.
Why it works
According to dual coding theory, words and images are processed in connected but separate systems, so information stored in both has more retrieval cues (Clark and Paivio, 1991). Drawing also forces you to decide what's important and how the parts connect, which is a form of thinking about meaning. Redrawing from memory adds retrieval practice on top.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use dual coding in my notes?
Leave space next to written notes for a small diagram, timeline or flowchart that shows the same idea. When you review, cover the words and explain the diagram, or cover the diagram and redraw it from the words.
Is dual coding good for every subject?
It helps most where ideas have structure: processes, sequences, comparisons, maps and diagrams. For memorising vocabulary or quotations, retrieval practice with flashcards is usually more direct, though adding a picture can still help.
What is an example of dual coding?
Learning the water cycle by reading about it and drawing a labelled diagram with arrows for evaporation, condensation and precipitation, then redrawing it from memory.
Is dual coding the same as learning styles?
No. Learning styles claims each person learns best in one mode; that idea isn't well supported. Dual coding says combining words and visuals helps learners in general.
Do I need to be good at drawing?
No. Simple boxes, arrows, stick figures and labels are enough. The visual just needs to show how ideas connect.
Sources
- Dual coding theory and education. Educational Psychology Review (Clark and Paivio, 1991).
- Six strategies for effective learning. The Learning Scientists.
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Step-by-step mind maps, what the research says, and how to turn one into recall practice.
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How to take notes that actually help you learn
Notes in your own words, the Cornell method, and how to turn notes into self-tests.
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