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.
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!
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.
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. 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 shape (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:
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:
Then, check out these related posts:
12 Comments
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!
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5/16/2017 09:30:18 pm
Thanks so much, Lacy!
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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.
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6/21/2018 08:45:47 pm
Hi Terralynn,
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6/21/2018 08:46:33 pm
Hi Terralynn,
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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!
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9/25/2018 08:28:23 am
Hi Gabriela,
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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).
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12/14/2020 09:52:39 am
Hi Carolyn,
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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
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Tracey
4/11/2023 09:57:40 am
I am an old school teacher. I still prefer to use the tangible "print it and highlight" method for my reference materials, and trust me, these blogs are amazing reference materials for this old gal. So, when you have great blog posts like this, I have to go through the whole copy/paste/reformat pictures routine to print them. Is there any way you could make these blogs into a printable PDF file? It would save me a lot of time and frustration.
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4/12/2023 08:58:13 am
Hi Tracey,
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