What Is Dual Coding Theory?

If you’ve ever wondered why sketchnoting works so well for retention, the answer lives in cognitive science—specifically in something called Dual Coding Theory.
Dual Coding Theory suggests that we process and store information in two distinct systems: one verbal and one visual. When learners encounter information in both words and images, they create two pathways for remembering it. Those dual pathways increase the likelihood of recall and deepen understanding.
In classrooms, we often rely heavily on verbal input—lecture, reading, discussion, written notes. But when students pair a concept with a simple sketch, symbol, or diagram, they activate additional neural systems. Instead of recording information in a single channel, they build layered connections.
That’s where sketchnoting becomes more than “cute notes.” It becomes a research-aligned learning strategy.
Sketchnoting encourages students to translate ideas into visual representations. That translation process forces them to make meaning. They aren’t copying—they’re processing. And that processing strengthens memory, organization, and conceptual understanding.
This brain-based approach aligns directly with what we know about multisensory learning. When students listen, write, draw, and connect ideas simultaneously, they create richer cognitive networks. Even students who take strong traditional notes benefit from diagramming, symbolizing, or visually organizing the same content.
Below is a simple example of how Dual Coding Theory can look in action through sketchnoting.

You can see how pairing keywords with icons, arrows, and spatial layout reinforces understanding in a way text alone cannot.
This approach is especially powerful for neurodivergent learners and students who naturally think in pictures. Temple Grandin, for example, describes her thinking process as entirely visual. Her story reminds us that visual thinking is not a deficit—it is a strength. When we expand note-taking to include drawing and spatial organization, we create more inclusive learning spaces.
If you’re new to sketchnoting, you may want to start with the foundational strategies in Chapter 1: Getting Started with Sketchnoting or explore the full overview of the book on the Sketchnoting in the Classroom.

Getting Started With Sketchnotes

Sketchnoting in the Classroom

​Download the Chapter 2 Resources

To help you bring Dual Coding Theory into your classroom right away, I’ve created companion materials:

• A downloadable sketchnote infographic explaining Dual Coding Theory
• A ready-to-use template comparing verbal and visual learning strategies
• A visual vocabulary builder to help students sketch what they learn

These tools are designed to help you move from theory to practice—without overwhelming your planning time. Download the template, try it with your students, and see what happens when ideas move from words to images.
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If you experiment with sketchnoting in your classroom, I’d love to see it. Share your sketchnote and tag me so we can continue building a community of visual thinkers.
And if you’d like more classroom strategies, templates, and research-backed ideas, join my newsletter for updates and new resources.