The Drawing Effect in Learning: How Sketching and Feedback Improves Memory and Understanding
By Julian Dance —
Tags: Learning Science, EdTech, Dual Coding, Study Techniques, Teaching & Learning, Teaching Strategies, Cognitive Science
Drawing isn’t just a study technique - it’s a powerful cognitive process. Backed by Dual Coding Theory and the Drawing Effect, sketching helps students encode, organise, and retain knowledge. When combined with instant feedback, it becomes one of the most effective learning strategies available.
By Julian Dance - Head of Big Ideas at SideCog. The Drawing Effect: Why Sketching Drives Higher-Order Learning In education, the idea of Learning Styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) has long been popular. However, research has consistently shown that matching instruction to a preferred style does not meaningfully improve learning outcomes. What has emerged instead is a more robust framework: Dual Coding Theory . At its core, Dual Coding suggests that learning improves when we combine verbal information with visual representations. And one of the most powerful ways to do this isn’t by viewin