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1/15/2017 10 Comments

Dual Coding Theory & Visual Note Taking

Dual Coding Theory & Visual Note Taking
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As I dive deeper into the amazing world of visual note-taking, I become more and more hooked on the benefits of doodle notes! 

It's seriously mind-boggling to see how this strategy is impacting the students!  I just continue to be more and more impressed with how well these brain benefits really are coming true!

I've posted before about the research behind the cross-lateral connections between the two hemispheres of the brain.

When we can activate both the right (artsy) hemisphere of the brain and the left (logical) side of the brain at the same time, the two hemispheres communicate across the corpus callosum.

Any time this happens, the brain is better able to remember the lesson material and focus in on the concepts.
This in itself is enough to convince me to stick with the visual note-taking, but as I have been digging deeper into more and more research to explain the incredible boost in student learning after using the doodle note strategy, I've come across more and more reasons that are probably behind this success for the kids.

The psychological research I have been exploring lately is called "Dual Coding Theory." It originated with Paivio in the 70s, and explains how visual and linguistic information is processed in two different areas of the brain.

In essence, as new input enters the brain, it's stored in short term memory in two distinct categories.  Graphic information, images, and other sensory input are processed in the VISUAL center while auditory input, words, and text are processed in the LINGUISTIC center of the brain.

This is a great way for our brain to take in both types of information, and the system works very well.  However, in order to convert the new information into true learning, we need it to be saved and stored in long term memory.

To do this, we need referential connections between the two zones.  We have to CONNECT the information in the visual area with the information in the linguistic area.

Dual Coding Theory in Doodle Notes - Brain processes graphic and linguistic information together to build retention
When we are able to blend the text/auditory input together with the images, we boost the potential for retaining the information!

This means that not only are the individual words and ideas committed to long term memory more effectively, but the associations between them are retained as well.  Our students can understand the big ideas and concepts AND remember the vocabulary and details more consistently.  

It's another huge reason that the student brain responds so well to a visual note-taking strategy!
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A related theory, the "Picture Superiority Effect" is supported by studies that show that blending images with text offers a stronger learning experience than using text alone. It turns out that this boosts both the memory of the individual terms and ideas as well as the associations and connections between the concepts.

This is why we use certain visual brain triggers in addition to using text.  For example, a stop sign has to instantly register an idea in our brains: STOP.  So, in combination with the word (text input), we also always see the same shape (graphic input) as well as the color red (additional visual input).  These blend together to send the right signal to our brains more effectively.
Visual Memory Triggers for Doodle Notes
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A good visual note-taking strategy incorporates what I like to call "visual memory triggers."  These can be images that contain or represent an analogy that helps the student understand.  They can also be graphics that blend text and pictures to stick in the students' brains.

These are the types of input that really last in a student's long-term memory.  ​
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For example, students remember the term "surface area" being written in the handle and bristles of a paintbrush and remember that it represents covering the outside of a sharpe (like painting).  Check out more samples of visual triggers that can be incorporated into doodle notes here.  

Doodle Note Basics:

These are all incredible reasons to start incorporating doodle notes into your lessons!  Here are the basics behind doodle notes:
  • "Doodle notes" are a unique visual note-taking method with built-in features that increase focus and memory by taking advantage of a collection of brain research, including Dual Coding Theory.
  • Doodling has been proven to activate the brain's pathways just enough to keep it from daydreaming, without distracting from the learning at hand!
  • The doodle note strategy integrates both hemispheres of the student's brain and helps maximize focus, learning, and retention of the lesson material.

To learn more about doodle notes, the research behind them, and how to try this strategy to boost your own students' focus and retention, check out these links:

​
More about the doodle note strategy:
http://www.doodlenotes.org/

My video explaining Dual Coding Theory:
http://www.tools4teachingteens.com/video-blog/dual-coding-theory-visual-note-taking

Dual Coding Theory vs. "Learning Styles":
(Guess which is valid and which may be a myth!)
http://www.mathgiraffe.com/blog/the-surprising-truth-about-learning-styles

Be sure to sign up for my email list for additional ideas, updates, and resources:
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10 Comments
Lacy link
5/16/2017 01:46:57 am

Love this! I am currently reading Dan Roam's book "Blah blah Blah, When Words don't do it." It is a business book but it makes important point of how visual thinking is a skill that can help you communicate clearly and create memorable messages. He talks about the research behind it and how it impact education. These doodle notes are a great concept!

Reply
Math Giraffe link
5/16/2017 09:30:18 pm

Thanks so much, Lacy!
I will have to check that book out :)
Thanks for commenting! I appreciate it.
Have an awesome evening,
-Brigid

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Terralynn
6/20/2018 07:46:23 pm

Can you tell me how you use this in classroom. I teach 8/9 and have purchased the doodle notes. I see advantage of this type but not sure how you get students to color during the lesson. Can you give me some Insight.

Reply
Math Giraffe link
6/21/2018 08:45:47 pm

Hi Terralynn,
Thanks so much for your purchase! Using a teacher model is often the best, but here are some links to help you out:

https://www.mathgiraffe.com/blog/how-to-actually-use-doodle-notes-tips-for-implementation

https://www.doodlenotes.org/in-the-classroom.html

I hope your students enjoy this strategy :)
Thanks,
-Brigid

Reply
Math Giraffe link
6/21/2018 08:46:33 pm

Hi Terralynn,
Thanks so much for your purchase! Using a teacher model is often the best, but here are some links to help you out:

https://www.mathgiraffe.com/blog/how-to-actually-use-doodle-notes-tips-for-implementation

https://www.doodlenotes.org/in-the-classroom.html

I hope your students enjoy this strategy :)
Thanks,
-Brigid

Reply
Gabriela
9/23/2018 09:37:10 pm

I am currently in graduate school and would love to use doodle notes as a strategy to increase engagement and learning. Do you any peer-review research articles that support doodle notes? *I do not at all mean for this to be a negative comment. I am seriously just looking for article for my graduate class* Thank you!

Reply
Math Giraffe link
9/25/2018 08:28:23 am

Hi Gabriela,
Thanks so much for asking! Here are a few to get you started:

Doodling:
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/39941/making-learning-visible-doodling-helps-memories-stick
https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=506&category=In-the-classroom&article
http://content.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1882127,00.html
https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/07/doodling-for-cognitive-benefits/398027/
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/30/AR2010113006150.html?wprss=rss_print/style
http://alistapart.com/article/the-miseducation-of-the-doodle
https://qz.com/676557/the-scientific-case-for-doodling-while-taking-notes/

Picture Superiority Effect:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17470218.2015.1094494?journalCode=pqje20

Dual Coding Theory:
http://www.umich.edu/~rdytolrn/pathwaysconference/presentations/paivio.pdf
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/dual-coding-theory
https://theeffortfuleducator.com/2017/02/07/dual-coding-in-the-classroom/

Brain Hemispheres:
http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2004/04/interhemispheric.aspx
https://www.empowher.com/community/share/when-you-cross-your-midline-exercise-you-get-boost-brain-alertness-creativity-and-me

Notes by Hand:
https://www.npr.org/2016/04/17/474525392/attention-students-put-your-laptops-away

Retrieval (learning and memory):
http://learninglab.psych.purdue.edu/downloads/2012_Karpicke_CDPS.pdf

Good luck with the grad school! :) Have a great day,
-Brigid

Reply
Carolyn
12/7/2020 01:40:55 pm

Thanks so much for your groundbreaking work! I'm exploring visual note-taking with my own students and your resources & block posts really helped to clarify the value of this strategy (not to mention, my highly stressed post-distance learning students find visual note-taking to be a way to help feel less anxious during whole-class instruction).

Reply
Math Giraffe link
12/14/2020 09:52:39 am

Hi Carolyn,
Thanks so much for your comment! I am so glad that you are able to use these ideas.
I appreciate you taking the time to reply. Thank you, and have a great week! :)
-Brigid

Reply
mis chic
11/18/2021 04:31:21 pm

i love your videos and also if you cant contact me later on thin i might not of put the wright gmail ( in case you want to contact me and also i want to know abou more of your videos and ainy new videos that you make) and so ya thank you

SINCERELY:KIYA LEE ANDERSON

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