Female writing notes while sitting at desk with laptop.

How to Connect Verbal and Visual Worlds to Benefits Student Academic Success

Are you looking for a way to help your students retain information better and increase their comprehension of different content areas? Sketchnoting is the answer! It’s a powerful visual tool that helps students connect verbal and visual information, leading to improved comprehension and retention. Sketchnoting is an effective way to help students gain a deeper understanding of the topics they are learning by combining words, images, and symbols.

The Basics of Sketchnoting

Sketchnoting, also known as visual note-taking or doodling, is a technique that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Combining words and images helps people organize and retain information more engagingly and creatively. The dual coding theory has shown that verbal and visual systems help recall information better. Additionally, drawing theory suggests that engaging the language, visual, and motor parts of the brain helps people remember things for extended periods. Therefore, sketchnoting is not just aimless doodling but a purposeful technique that enhances the learning experience.

Sketchnoting Benefits Academic Success

Sketchnoting is a fun and engaging learning method and has several benefits for academic success. According to the Picture Superiority Effect, people remember pictures better than words. Additionally, research shows that visual note-taking can improve recall by up to 29%, leading to higher test scores and a better understanding of complex concepts among students. Why not encourage doodling to make a positive impact in your classroom?

Examples of Sketchnoting in the Classroom

Sketchnoting is an excellent tool for deepening learning and enhancing understanding. By converting thoughts into visuals, complex concepts become easier to understand, keeping teachers and students engaged. Take a look at how these students used sketchnoting in science and English to achieve these benefits.

Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle Sketchnote example
Sketchnotes of The Canterbury Tales Example

During professional learning sessions, sketchnoting helps me retain and understand the material. Here is an example of how I use it.

Sketchnote example from Sarah Wood from a professional learning session.

You Can Learn to Teach with Sketchnotes Too!

Through my personal experiences, I have witnessed the benefits of sketchnoting for students in various subjects, including math, English, and science. That’s why I am thrilled to announce a free professional learning course I have developed, specifically tailored for K-12 teachers, that focuses on sketchnoting. The REMC Association of Michigan will offer this course at no cost, delivered through the “PL in a Box” format, providing all necessary materials for convenient learning. After an initial synchronous meeting, the course will proceed asynchronously, with all materials readily available.

The Doodle for Your Noodle course covers the fundamentals of sketchnoting, which involves using visuals, colors, and typography to improve note-taking and understanding. You will also learn how to teach sketchnoting to your students and apply it across various subject areas. Additionally, the course fosters an inclusive and enjoyable learning environment where all participants play an essential role in the learning process.

Enhance your student’s learning experience by incorporating sketchnoting into your classroom. Register for the free professional learning course, “Doodle for Your Noodle,” and witness the positive effects of purposeful doodling on your student’s education. Additionally, you can earn 16 SCECH credits.

Sign up today!

#sketchnoting #EdTech #WeLeadLearning #KentISDpd #PLinaBox #Engagement

This blog post was written by Sarah Wood, Education Technology Consultant for Kent ISD and edited by Amanda Walma, Professional Learning Coordinator for Kent ISD.

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