Have you, like me, ever had the experience of being just a little too overwhelmed by new information? Perhaps that it gets to the point where nothing goes in at all.
How can we improve our understanding and retention of new information? At least part of the answer has to do with the way that information is presented.
What Dual Coding is
One way to present information in a way that increases understanding is called “Dual Coding”.
Dual coding is a cognitive strategy that involves presenting information using both verbal (linguistic) and visual (non-linguistic) elements.
By combining words and images, you can engage multiple cognitive pathways. This improves understanding and increases memory retention.
Dual Coding uses the brain’s ability to process and store information in different ways. Brains can take in information linguistically or non-linguistically. So why not do both at the same time? By accessing both pathways, the brain is not overwhelmed by new information. It can process more, and more efficiently.
Allan Paivio
Allan Paivio introduced Dual Coding Theory in the early 1970s. He argued that there were two distinct cognitive systems for processing information: one for verbal or linguistic input and another for non-verbal or imagery-based input.
Paivio’s theory suggested that creating mental images alongside verbal descriptions can enhance memory retention and comprehension. Dual coding allows learners to engage different cognitive pathways, leading to a more robust representation of the content.
Cognitive Load
If you’re presented with too much information all at once, your brain will not be able to cope. It will be overwhelmed. This is called the problem of Cognitive Load.
The problem of Cognitive Load in learning refers to the limited capacity of our cognitive system to process and manage information. When you’re presented with information that is too complex, you can find it incomprehensible. Similarly, if there is too much information, your brain cannot cope. When your brain cannot cope, this is when the Cognitive Load is too much to handle.
Richard Clark
Richard Clark found that when learning materials include both visual and verbal information, it can distribute the Cognitive Load across two channels, reducing the strain on each channel.
In other words, we can enable the brain to deal with more information by dividing up the ways that information is delivered.
Clark’s theory suggested that carefully designed multimedia presentations can optimize learning by providing complementary information through different channels. For instance, an illustration can be paired with narration to explain complex concepts, enhancing understanding and retention.
Dual Coding and Cogito Education
Cogito Education uses Dual Coding to enhance learning and reduce Cognitive Load.
Here’s an example of Dual Coding
Our tutorial videos are always a mixture of narration, illustration and written text. What better way to enhance your learning experience than an on-demand tutorial service utilising the latest research in Education?
Want to learn more via Dual Coding?
All of our tutorials use Dual Coding, and all are included in the Cogito Membership package!
