Allan Paivio and Dual Coding Theory Eric Langhorst – Walden University – EdD Student – September 2009 EDUC – 8140 – 7 - “Leadership for Today’s Schools” Instructor – Jerita Whaley
Allan Paivio Born December 1, 1941 Professor of Psychology at University of Western Ontario Author of Dual Coding Theory
Origins of Theory Paivio had subjects recall a list of words and a list of pictures Pictures and words were recalled in a different order Theory we process information in two separate channels
Audio Channel Visual Channel
Dual Coding Theory Theory of cognition which states both visual and verbal information is processed separately
Example Watching a television show with video footage of a rainforest while describing how the ecosystem works
Anderson & Bower (1973) Verbal information can be enhanced when paired with a visual image, real or imagined.
Stone & Glock (1981) College students were given written assembly instruction Fewer errors when shown pictures with text
Levie & Lentz (1982) Children learned more from text that was presented with illustrations Learning increased by one-third with illustrations
Mayer & Sims (1994) Multimedia can be effective when used for education but only if used in appropriate ways X OR
Idea #1 TEXT Use words and pictures rather than just words alone
Idea #2 TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT TEXT Present pictures and corresponding words or narrations close together in space or time
Idea #3 Minimize irrelevant details only display the most important information
Idea #4 Present words as speech rather than on-screen text
Implications Incorporating the dual coding theory with the proper technology can make the educational process more powerful
References Anderson, J. R., & Bower, G. H. (1973). Human associative memory. Washington, DC: Winston. Levie, W. H., & Lentz, R. (1982). Effects of text illustrations: A review of research. Educational Communication and Technology Journal, 26, 233-243. Mayer, R. E., & Sims, V.K. (1994). For whom is a picture worth a thousand words? Extensions of a dual-coding theory of multimedia learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 86(3), 389-401. Paivio, A. (1991). Dual coding theory: Retrospect and current status. Canadian Journal of Psychology, 45, 255-287. Stone, D., & Glock, M. (1981). How do young adults read directions with and without pictures? Journal of Educational Psychology, 73, 419-426.