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Weekly Digest #67: Dual Coding in the Classroom

Image from pixabay

Dual coding, or combining visuals with words, is one of the 6 strategies for effective learning. The idea is that by combining a visual representation of an idea with a verbal representation of an idea, we will be able to learn the idea better. (Of course, this can be overdone, as is discussed in this post.)

In this digest, we bring together 5 resources on making the most of dual coding in the classroom to improve learning.

1) Dual Coding in the Classroom by Blake Harvard, The Effortful Educator, @effortfuleduktr

In this excellent piece, Blake Harvard explains his introduction of dual coding into his high school classroom with great success. 

2) Double-Barrelled Learning For Young & Old by Paul A. Kirschner, @P_A_Kirschner and Mirjam Neelen, @MirjamN

In this blog, Kirschner and Neelen explain the theory of dual coding, and how the visual and text representations can be used to complement one another. They even include some concrete examples of effective and ineffective uses of dual coding.

3) Dual-coding in Science by Pritish Raichura, @Mr_Raichura

In this blog, Pritish Raichura provides a number of step-by-step examples of how he uses dual coding, presenting a text, drawing a diagram, and then providing a verbal description, to increase understanding in his science classes. He too outlines some principles of using dual coding appropriately.

4) Using Infographics for Teaching and Learning by Sarah Gretter, @SarahGretter

In this piece, this Michigan State University Doctoral student studying educational psychology and technology discusses the use of infographics. She provides information about how infographics can be used in the classroom, and lists resources for creating your own infographics!

Image from Pixabay

5) Visual Storytelling: 5 Cool Projects that Combine Art and Writing by Dana Truby on We Are Teachers, @WeAreTeachers

Interested in integrating assignments that require visualization and verbalization in your classroom? This piece can help you get creative by presenting 5 different projects that combine these elements. In addition to utilizing dual coding, requiring assignments like these can also encourage students to practice retrieval without using a "test" or "quiz".

Image from Pixabay


Every Sunday, we pick a theme and provide a curated list of links. If you have a theme suggestion, please don’t hesitate to contact us! Occasionally we publish a guest digest, and If you'd like to propose a guest digest click here. Our 5 most recent digests can be found here:

Weekly Digest #62: Digital Literacy: A Crucial Skill in Today’s World

Weekly Digest #63: Summer Safety

Weekly Digest #64: Preparing a Learning-Focused Syllabus

Weekly Digest #65: The Case Against Inquiry-Based Learning

Weekly Digest #66: What Makes a MOOC Successful?