1. Allan Paivio and Dual Coding Theory
Eric Langhorst – Walden University – EdD Student – September 2009
EDUC – 8140 – “Leadership for Today’s Schools”
Instructor – Jerita Whaley

2. Allan Paivio Born December 1, 1941
Professor of Psychology at University of Western Ontario
Author of Dual Coding Theory

3. 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

4. Audio Channel
Visual Channel

5. Dual Coding Theory
Theory of cognition which states both visual and verbal information is processed separately

6. Example
Watching a television show with video footage of a rainforest while describing how the ecosystem works

7. Anderson & Bower
(1973)
Verbal information can be enhanced when paired with a visual image, real or imagined.

8. Stone & Glock
(1981)
College students were given written assembly instruction
Fewer errors when shown pictures with text

9. Levie & Lentz
(1982)
Children learned more from text that was presented with illustrations
Learning increased by one-third with illustrations

10. Mayer & Sims (1994)
Multimedia can be effective when used for education but only if used in appropriate ways X OR

11. Idea #1
TEXT
Use words and pictures rather than just words alone

12. Idea #2
TEXT
TEXT
TEXT
TEXT
TEXT
Present pictures and corresponding words or narrations close together in space or time

13. Idea #3 Minimize irrelevant details
only display the most important information

14. Idea #4
Present words as speech rather than on-screen text

15. Implications
Incorporating the dual coding theory with the proper technology can make the educational process more powerful

16. 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,
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),
Paivio, A. (1991). Dual coding theory: Retrospect and current status. Canadian Journal of Psychology, 45,
Stone, D., & Glock, M. (1981). How do young adults read directions with and without pictures? Journal of Educational Psychology, 73,