Study Tip: Try Dual Coding

Dual Coding is one of the most effective ways to make your study time more meaningful. It’s all about combining two forms of information, words and visuals, to help your brain absorb, store, and retrieve knowledge more easily.

When we learn something new, our brains process it through two main channels: verbal (words, text, and speech) and visual (images, diagrams, symbols). Dual coding means you’re deliberately using both channels to study. This could look like writing out key facts and then sketching a diagram to show how they connect. Or listening to a lesson and then creating a mind map based on what you’ve learned.

Why Dual Coding Works

Your brain is more likely to remember something if it’s experienced in more than one way. When you create a visual to go alongside the information, you’re forming more connections; and connections are what make memories stick. Not only are you seeing the information in a new light, but you’re also engaging more of your brain’s processing power. That makes it easier to recall it later, especially in high-pressure situations like exams.

What Dual Coding Looks Like

Here are some examples of how you can use Dual Coding while revising:

  • Draw diagrams or flowcharts to represent processes.

  • Create timelines for historical events.

  • Use mind maps to break down complex topics.

  • Turn vocabulary lists into illustrated flashcards.

  • Watch a short video on a topic and then summarise it with bullet points and sketches.

The visuals don’t need to be complicated or artistic. Stick figures, arrows, boxes; anything that helps you understand and recall the material is perfect.

Making It Work for You

It can be tempting to just read and reread your notes, but try this instead:

→ After reading a section of your notes, close your book and draw what you remember.
→ Then, look back and fill in anything you missed.
→ Explain your diagram out loud or to a study partner, this will strengthen your understanding even more.

You can also build a revision wall with visual summaries, create flashcards with keywords and icons, or use colour coding to help organise information.

Final Thought

Dual Coding isn’t just about drawing for the sake of it, it’s about helping your brain make meaningful connections. By actively engaging both your verbal and visual memory, you’re not just memorising facts – you’re understanding them.

Give it a try during your next study session. A quick sketch might just be the thing that helps the information stick!

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