Visuals + Words = Stronger Learning
Insight Blog
This is the core of Dual Coding Theory and how it underpins HighLightIt!
The Science Behind Dual Coding
In his influential paper, A Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning, Richard Mayer (2005) built on the Paivio (1971) Dual Coding Theory to explain why combining words and visuals leads to more effective learning.
The core idea is that humans process information through 2 channels:
- a verbal channel for spoken or written words
- a visual channel for images and diagrams
When both channels are engaged, learners create richer mental representations, linking language and imagery in a way that strengthens understanding and memory.
Principles of Multimedia Learning
Mayer (2005) describes this as a process of selecting, organising, and integrating information across the 2 channels. Evidence consistently shows that students perform better when taught with combined words and visuals compared to words alone. For example, learners watching an animation with narration demonstrated stronger problem-solving skills than those who only listened.
From these studies, Mayer identified principles such as:
- The Multimedia Principle — words + pictures are better than words alone
- The Contiguity Principle — words and pictures should appear together, not apart
Applying the Science with HighLightIt!
This learning science directly underpins the design of HighLightIt!. The app enables coaches and teachers to freeze video, add arrows, labels, and highlights, and pair visuals with short verbal or written explanations.
In doing so, raw footage is transformed into clear teaching stories. Every clip becomes clear: learners see the play unfold and extract the key messages leading to higher recall and deeper understanding.
More Than Just Annotation
HighLightIt! is more than a video annotation app. It is the practical application of decades of proven learning theory, made accessible in your daily teaching.