--- title: "Double Trouble: Dual Coding for Learner Retention" description: The dual coding theory indicates that learners remember better if they store similar information as an image and audio. image: https://blog.elblearning.com/hubfs/Double%20Trouble-%20Dual%20Coding%20for%20Learner%20Retention_Blog%20Featured%20Image%20800x500.png --- [![ELB-Learning_Logo_ColorRGB-white-text-1](https://blog.elblearning.com/hubfs/ELB-Learning_Logo_ColorRGB-white-text-1.png) ](https://elblearning.com/) ![Double Trouble- Dual Coding for Learner Retention_Blog Featured Image 800x500](https://blog.elblearning.com/hubfs/Double%20Trouble-%20Dual%20Coding%20for%20Learner%20Retention_Blog%20Featured%20Image%20800x500.png) # Double Trouble: Dual Coding for Learner Retention by [Stephanie Ivec](https://blog.elblearning.com/author/stephanie-ivec) | Jul 11, 2019   ![Double Trouble- Dual Coding for Learner Retention_Blog Header 800x350](https://blog.elblearning.com/hubfs/Double%20Trouble-%20Dual%20Coding%20for%20Learner%20Retention_Blog%20Header%20800x350.png) At [eLBX Live 2019](https://blog.elearningbrothers.com/the-most-rockin-moments-from-elbx-live-2019), one of our featured morning speakers mentioned a learning method called dual coding. Michael Noble, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Learning Strategist of The Training Associates, presented on learner preferences and how using different learning modalities can increase retention and learner satisfaction. ### He also talked about a learning method called dual coding.   > “You take a visual approach and a verbal approach and figure out how to double code your message—reinforce it between two ideas.” > > -Michael Noble at eLBX Live 2019   ### What is Dual Coding?   This cognitive theory was hypothesized by Allan Paivio of the University of Western Ontario in 1971. The dual coding theory states that audio and images are stored in separate areas of our short term memory. Learners are said to remember better if they store similar information in both channels and can make a link between the images they see and the sounds they are hearing.   According to the modality principle of dual coding, providing an image with narration explaining the image is the most effective way to teach.   ![stock-photo-girl-learning-on-line-listen-2598407](https://blog.elblearning.com/hubfs/stock-photo-girl-learning-on-line-listen-2598407.png)   It is interesting to note, that according to research into dual coding, on-screen text is perceived by the brain as an image. So you might think you are achieving dual coding by pairing some bullet points with a graphic, but in fact, your learners’ brains are storing both of those as an image, which can result in overloading the visual channel sooner. Once the short term memory channel are full, your learners cannot take in new information without first pausing to process the first content.   The Dual Coding theory has been supported by further research on retention of images and/or concrete words over the years with research done by cognitive scientist Zenon Pylyshyn in 1973 all the way up to more recent studies in 2017.   ### Implementing Dual Coding in Your eLearning Projects   Now you know why you should pair an image with audio in your eLearning development. So how do you go about it? Visit the [eLearning Brothers Stock Asset Library](https://library.elearningbrothers.com/stock-home-page) for tons of stock photos and sounds effects. If you're using your own voiceover, check out these helpful blogs from our audio and video expert on working with audio:   - [Part 1: Say What?! A Guide to Camtasia Sound](https://elearningbrothers.com/blog/say-guide-camtasia-sound/) - [Part 2: Say What?! A Guide to Camtasia Sound](https://elearningbrothers.com/blog/part-2-say-guide-camtasia-sound/) - [How to Sync Up Audio for Your eLearning Videos](https://blog.elearningbrothers.com/how-to-sync-up-audio-for-your-elearning-videos) - [How to Choose Between MP3 and WAV Audio Files](https://blog.elblearning.com/how-to-choose-between-mp3-and-wav-audio-files) ### Not an eLearning Brothers member yet? Sign up for a 7-day free trial to access ALL the resources in the eLearning Brothers Template and Stock Asset Libraries!   [![Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5108583/36ed8265-8eeb-417a-8fb2-13849046607c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5108583/36ed8265-8eeb-417a-8fb2-13849046607c)   Resources - [Learning Through Dual Coding](https://www.unmc.edu/academicaffairs/_documents/connected/Beck_TipSheet_DualCoding.pdf) - [The Dual Coding Theory & Multimedia Learning](http://blogs.onlineeducation.touro.edu/the-dual-coding-theory-multimedia-learning/) - [Dual Coding Theory](https://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/dual-coding/)     [eLearning-](https://blog.elblearning.com/tag/elearning), [instructional design-](https://blog.elblearning.com/tag/instructional-design), [eLearning templates-](https://blog.elblearning.com/tag/elearning-templates), [development-](https://blog.elblearning.com/tag/development) ### Related Posts [![The Secret to Humanized Instructional Story Design (with No Fluff)](https://blog.elblearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Recap%207-31-2025_Blog%20Featured%20Image%20800x500.png?width=388&name=Recap%207-31-2025_Blog%20Featured%20Image%20800x500.png) ](https://blog.elblearning.com/how-story-based-learning-transforms-training-insights-from-instructional-story-design) [The Secret to Humanized Instructional Story Design (with No Fluff)](https://blog.elblearning.com/how-story-based-learning-transforms-training-insights-from-instructional-story-design) [![Improving L&D with AI Work Augmentation](https://blog.elblearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Improving%20L%26D%20with%20AI%20Work%20Augmentation_Blog%20Featured%20Image%20800x500.png?width=388&name=Improving%20L&D%20with%20AI%20Work%20Augmentation_Blog%20Featured%20Image%20800x500.png) ](https://blog.elblearning.com/improving-ld-with-ai-work-augmentation) [Improving L&D with AI Work Augmentation](https://blog.elblearning.com/improving-ld-with-ai-work-augmentation) [![Leaving the Classroom: From Teaching to Instructional Design](https://blog.elblearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Leaving%20the%20Classroom-%20From%20Teaching%20to%20Instructional%20Design_Blog%20Featured%20Image%20700x306-1.png?width=388&name=Leaving%20the%20Classroom-%20From%20Teaching%20to%20Instructional%20Design_Blog%20Featured%20Image%20700x306-1.png) ](https://blog.elblearning.com/leaving-the-classroom-from-teaching-to-instructional-design) [Leaving the Classroom: From Teaching to Instructional Design](https://blog.elblearning.com/leaving-the-classroom-from-teaching-to-instructional-design) [![A Brief History of Instructional Design](https://blog.elblearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/A%20Brief%20History%20of%20Instructional%20Design_Blog%20Featured%20Image%20800x500.png?width=388&name=A%20Brief%20History%20of%20Instructional%20Design_Blog%20Featured%20Image%20800x500.png) ](https://blog.elblearning.com/a-brief-history-of-instructional-design) [A Brief History of Instructional Design](https://blog.elblearning.com/a-brief-history-of-instructional-design) [![Why We're Mad for Microlearning](https://blog.elblearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Why%20Were%20Mad%20for%20Microlearning_Blog%20Featured%20Image%20800x500.png?width=388&name=Why%20Were%20Mad%20for%20Microlearning_Blog%20Featured%20Image%20800x500.png) ](https://blog.elblearning.com/why-were-mad-for-microlearning) [Why We're Mad for Microlearning](https://blog.elblearning.com/why-were-mad-for-microlearning) [![What Is Scrap Learning and How Much Is It Costing Your L&D Department?](https://blog.elblearning.com/hs-fs/hubfs/What%20Is%20Scrap%20Learning%20and%20How%20Much%20Is%20It%20Costing%20Your%20L%26D%20Department__Blog%20Featured%20Image%20800x500.png?width=388&name=What%20Is%20Scrap%20Learning%20and%20How%20Much%20Is%20It%20Costing%20Your%20L&D%20Department__Blog%20Featured%20Image%20800x500.png) ](https://blog.elblearning.com/what-is-scrap-learning-and-how-much-is-it-costing-your-ld-department) [What Is Scrap Learning and How Much Is It Costing Your L&D Department?](https://blog.elblearning.com/what-is-scrap-learning-and-how-much-is-it-costing-your-ld-department) - 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