Allan Paivio andDual Coding Theory
Eric Langhorst – Walden University – EdD Student – September 2009EDUC – 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
OR X
Idea #1
•Use words and pictures rather than just words alone
TEXT
Idea #2
•Present pictures and corresponding words or narrations close together in
space or time
TEXT TEXT TEXT
TEXT TEXT
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.