Dual-coding theory for the win (even without Wi-Fi)

When text overload shuts the brain down

You didn't zone out because you lack discipline. You zoned out because your brain has already filed this under unnecessarily painful.

Now here is the part we do not say out loud often enough.

If we would not want to spend hours learning like that, why would we expect learners on Edovo to?

Especially learners who may be:

• Reading on a small tablet

• Learning in loud, unpredictable spaces

• Carrying stress, trauma, or academic baggage

• Often reading around a 4th-6th-grade reading level

For incarcerated adults, text-heavy instruction is not just boring. It is cognitively expensive. And when the cost feels too high, the brain does what it always does under pressure.

It checks out.

To be clear, there is a time and place for longer texts. Deep reading, legal materials, personal reflection, and sustained study all have real value. This article is not arguing against depth or rigor.

What it is arguing for is intentional design.

Most instructional content works better when it respects how the brain actually processes information. Especially in digital, self-paced environments. Especially under stress. Especially when attention, literacy, and confidence are fragile.

The principles in this article apply to the majority of learning moments on Edovo. The moments where clarity matters more than coverage. Where momentum matters more than endurance. Where remembering one usable idea is more valuable than skimming ten.

This is where dual-coding theory comes in.

Decades of cognitive research show that the brain learns better when information is presented through both words and visuals. Two channels. Two ways in. Less strain on working memory. Better recall when it actually matters.

Inside Edovo’s closed, self-paced environment, visuals are not decoration or flair. They are instructional tools. They help learners stay oriented, reduce overload, and make meaning stick when attention is fragile.

In the rest of this article, we are going to:

• Break down what dual-coding actually is without the jargon

• Show why text-only lessons fail under stress and distraction

• Walk through practical, low-tech ways to use visuals inside Edovo

• Call out common visual mistakes that quietly undermine learning
  

Because the goal is not to make content prettier.

It is to make it survivable.
And better yet, memorable.

If a page full of dense text has ever made you sigh and think, “This is going to be a long hour,” you already understand the problem.

Now let us talk about how to fix it.

The jargon you actually need to know

Term: Dual-Coding Theory

What it is: A learning strategy that uses words and visuals together to teach the same idea—so the brain builds two routes to understand and remember it.
What the science says: First introduced by Allan Paivio and expanded by Richard Mayer, dual-coding improves recall, reduces overload, and helps learners transfer information to real-world action.
How to use it on Edovo: Pair icons with key terms. Use labeled diagrams for multi-step processes. Reinforce key ideas visually across multiple pages.

Want proof? Check out this dual-coding overview or explore this foundational explanation.

The brain loves a double feature

Dual-coding is simple in theory and powerful in practice. Every time you teach an idea, the brain should get two ways in: one verbal and one visual.

Here is the rule of thumb you can use for almost any content.

If something matters enough to explain, it matters enough to show.

Let’s say you are building a course on managing emotional reactions.

Instead of dumping a list of symptoms and strategies into one long paragraph, apply these dual-coding design rules:

Rule 1: One idea, one visual
Pair each key strategy with a simple image or icon. Not decoration. Clarification. The visual should reinforce the exact idea the text is teaching.

Rule 2: Turn sequences into flow
Any process with steps should be shown as a visual sequence. For example, pause → breathe → reflect → respond. Flow reduces cognitive load and helps learners see how actions connect.

Rule 3: Be visually consistent
Use the same visual language across screens. If red represents reaction and green represents reflection, keep that rule everywhere. Consistency builds recognition and trust.

Rule 4: Reduce, do not embellish
Simple visuals beat clever ones. Shapes, arrows, icons, and labels work better than abstract or symbolic images that require interpretation.

When you design this way, learners get:

• A visual way to orient themselves on the screen

• A second route to understanding when text alone is hard

• A memory anchor they can recall later, especially under stress

What this actually looks like on Edovo

Edovo does not support embedded links, autoplay video, or flashy animations. That is not a limitation. It is a design constraint that rewards clarity.

Dual-coding on Edovo is about using intentional visual language so learners can understand the point of a screen at a glance.

In practice, that means:

Use visuals to signal what matters
Create simple header images that include a clear icon tied to the core idea of the screen. The icon should preview the concept before a single word is read.

Turn key ideas into visual anchors
For foundational concepts, use clean infographics that show relationships, categories, or contrasts. One concept per graphic. If the visual cannot be explained in one sentence, it is doing too much.

Repeat visual cues on purpose
Use the same symbols for the same function across the course. The same icon for reflection. The same symbol for a warning or pause. Repetition builds familiarity and reduces cognitive effort.

Show every process, do not just describe it
Any time learners are asked to follow steps, label each step with both words and a visual. Arrows, numbers, and icons help learners see sequence and direction without rereading.

Design for fast orientation
A learner should be able to answer, “What is this about?” within five seconds of opening the screen. If they cannot, the screen needs fewer ideas or clearer visuals.

A low-tech challenge with high-impact results

Grab any lesson you’ve already built. Pick one block of text.
Ask yourself:

• What part of this is hard to visualize?
  
  

• Can I sketch it with shapes, arrows, or simple icons?
  
  

• Would this help someone who reads at an elementary level?
  
  

Visual design is a form of accessibility. On Edovo, it’s also a form of dignity.

Where visuals go wrong

Not all visuals are created equal. The wrong image doesn’t just fall flat—it can confuse, distract, or even derail the learning process. Here’s what to avoid:

1. Clip art that confuses more than it clarifies
   If your learner has to guess what it’s supposed to represent, it’s not helping.
   
   

2. Symbolic images that require interpretation
   A scale for “balance” or a maze for “choices” might look clever—but abstract visuals increase cognitive load, especially for stressed or low-literacy learners.
   
   

3. Overdesigned slides with competing icons
   Too many visuals on one screen = instant overload. Simplicity signals clarity.
   
   

4. Breaking the three bullet point rule
   More than three visual elements on a screen (unless they’re part of a structured list or table) often causes visual clutter. Think in groups of three to guide focus.
   
   

5. Images with no instructional purpose
   If it’s just decoration, it’s a distraction. Every visual should teach something—or it doesn’t belong.
   
   

6. Visuals that contradict the text
   A smiling person next to a definition about stress regulation? That disconnect can erode trust and comprehension.
   
   

7. Low-resolution or distorted images
   Blurry graphics scream “not worth your time.” If it looks cheap, it feels unimportant.

Your visuals should teach. If they don’t, they’re just noise.

Try it out for yourself, which visual would you find easier to look at: 

Test before you rest

Quick self-check:

• Does each image reinforce a specific idea, not just decorate it?
  
  

• If my learner couldn’t read, could they still follow the flow?
  
  

• Would this visual help them use the concept later?
  
  

If yes, you’ve nailed the fundamentals of dual-coding in a closed correctional setting.

Bringing it all together

Here’s what matters: incarcerated adults don’t need more text. They need more access.

Dual-coding turns instruction into connection. It builds comprehension, boosts confidence, and creates paths to real-world action. And on a platform like Edovo, that kind of learning doesn’t just stay on screen—it walks out with them.

TL;DR: Two tracks are better than one

• Dual-coding = pairing visuals with words to deepen memory and understanding
  
  

• It’s essential for adult Learners in corrections, especially those facing trauma and low literacy
  
  

• Works seamlessly inside Edovo’s self-paced, closed digital system
  
  

• Skip the fluff—design visuals that clarify, reinforce, and repeat
  
  

• One image, when done right, can carry the weight of an entire lesson
  

References

Clark, J. M., & Paivio, A. (1991). Dual coding theory and education. Educational Psychology Review, 3(3), 149–210. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01320076 

Mayer, R. E. (2005). The Cambridge handbook of multimedia learning. Cambridge University Press. 

The Learning Scientists. (2017, March 30). What is the dual coding strategy? https://www.learningscientists.org/blog/2017/3/30-1 

InstructionalDesign.org. (n.d.). Dual coding theory (Paivio). https://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/dual-coding/

University of Queensland. (n.d.). Dual coding strategy – Cognitive learning design. https://itali.uq.edu.au/files/8034/dual_coding_strategy.pdf

SAMHSA. (2014). SAMHSA’s concept of trauma and guidance for a trauma-informed approach. https://ncsacw.acf.hhs.gov/userfiles/files/SAMHSA_Trauma.pdf
Provides trauma-informed design principles that shape Edovo’s approach to pacing, accessibility, and Learner emotional readiness.