Dual Coding Theory is a concept that has high value in today’s elementary school classroom because of its ability to make the retrieval of knowledge much easier due to the link between visual (pictures) and verbal (words). I have employed various approaches and strategies when teaching, but I did not know I was administering a productive concept to my students called Dual Coding Theory. I often taught from empathy: I did not want to be a teacher-directed instructor with my students’ desks aligned in rows and treating my students as mere receptacles where I dumped information in them by rote organization (drill-and-kill). I always tried to develop lessons that were applied, collaborative, and interactive where students had a voice in their learning. Here are some examples of how I administered the Dual Coding Theory in my teaching practice – a lucky coincidence.
Language Arts
This subject can be challenging for some students, as was exemplified with the elementary school students in Lac La Hache. Before I began implementing technology in the classroom, I always utilized graphic organizers and mind maps. These are great not only for students to organize their ideas, but also a collaborative tool. Even the simplest approach of allowing students to use different colours in order for them to document their ideas engaged their dual coding.
Mathematics
When I introduced my technology review, I began by presenting how manipulatives are a useful tool that allows students to engage their dual coding leading to increased math comprehension. Like graphic organizers and mind maps, it allows students to increase their working capacity and memory because their cognitive load is reduced. manipulatives are a great tool because visual information is synchronous (applied and in their hands) and works simultaneously with math concepts. More teachers should utilize this tool, rather than providing students with worksheets that include pictures because it is a simulated (and inferior) application.
References
4pt Limited. (2014, November 7). Illustration & E-Learning (Dual-coding Theory) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=h9Fuhds6MTU&feature=emb_title
Caviglioli, O. (2019, July 10). Dual coding: The complete guide for teachers. Teacher of Sci. https://teacherofsci.com/dual-coding-theory/
Set BC. (2020). Students in Lac La Hache Discover the “Power” of Writing. https://www.setbc.org/2016/02/students-in-lac-la-hache-discover-the-power-of-writing/
The Learning Agency. (2019, October 9). Dual Coding | Making Visuals Work | Science of Learning Series. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV5DAY0JmLA&feature=emb_title
Thank you Emilio. You give great context to the value of dual coding and describe how it is an effective UDL strategy that can be used in any course or subject. I agree that graphic organizers are beneficial to the learning as well as the organization of a learner’s thoughts. Often we focus solely on the obtaining and understanding of the information and forget that it needs to be placed in context with relevant life experiences, which is the organization of learned information.