Chapter 9 Quiz
Dual Coding: Why Words + Visuals Beats Words Alone
Answer all questions without referring to the chapter. After completing the quiz, check your answers in Appendix I and use the results to identify which concepts need additional retrieval practice.
Multiple Choice
1. Dual coding theory was developed by: - a) Richard Mayer - b) Allan Paivio - c) Alan Baddeley - d) Robert Bjork
2. According to Paivio's dual coding theory, the verbal system processes information: - a) Simultaneously - b) Randomly - c) Sequentially - d) Spatially
3. Referential connections are best described as: - a) The links between short-term and long-term memory - b) The mental links between verbal and visual codes for the same concept - c) The connections between neurons during encoding - d) The pathways between sensory memory and working memory
4. In Paivio's classic word-list experiments, concrete imageable words were remembered approximately: - a) At the same rate as abstract words - b) 50% better than abstract words - c) Twice as well as abstract words - d) Three times as well as abstract words
5. Which of Mayer's multimedia learning principles warns against adding decorative images that don't relate to the content? - a) The multimedia principle - b) The spatial contiguity principle - c) The coherence principle - d) The signaling principle
6. The redundancy effect occurs when: - a) Students review material too many times - b) Text and images present the same information in duplicate rather than complementing each other - c) Multiple students use the same concept map - d) Visual elements are placed too far from the relevant text
7. Dual coding reduces cognitive load by: - a) Eliminating the need for working memory entirely - b) Simplifying the material to make it easier - c) Distributing information across two working memory channels instead of one - d) Replacing difficult concepts with simpler visual approximations
True or False
8. Dual coding theory supports the idea that "visual learners" should always study with pictures while "verbal learners" should always study with words. - True / False
9. The act of creating a visual representation forces deeper processing of the material, even if the drawing is crude and unskilled. - True / False
10. Looking at someone else's concept map is just as effective for learning as creating your own. - True / False
11. A concept map differs from a mind map because a concept map uses labeled connections between nodes. - True / False
12. Dual coding is most effective when combined with retrieval practice and spacing. - True / False
Short Answer
13. Explain why Marcus Thompson's data structures breakthrough happened when he started drawing diagrams. Reference at least two principles from this chapter in your answer.
14. A student creates a beautiful, color-coded set of sketch-notes that took her three hours to complete. She's proud of how they look. Using concepts from this chapter, evaluate her approach. What is she doing right? What might she be doing wrong?
15. Describe the three steps involved in constructing a visual analogy. Then construct a visual analogy for the concept of "encoding specificity" (from Chapter 2) — provide the abstract concept, the concrete image, the feature mapping, and the limits of the analogy.
16. Explain the difference between the spatial contiguity principle and the temporal contiguity principle. Why do both matter for effective dual coding?
Application
17. You're studying for a biology exam on the immune system. The textbook presents 8 pages of dense text about how different types of immune cells interact. Describe how you would use dual coding to study this material effectively. Be specific about which technique(s) you would use and why.
18. A classmate tells you, "I tried drawing a concept map for my history class, but it didn't help at all. Dual coding doesn't work for me." Propose three possible explanations for why their concept map didn't help, based on principles from this chapter. For each explanation, suggest a specific fix.
Answer Key Guidance
When checking your answers: - Questions 1-7: One correct answer each - Questions 8-12: True or False with explanation required for "False" answers - Questions 13-18: See rubric criteria in Appendix I; focus on whether your answer demonstrates understanding of the underlying principles, not just surface recall
Scoring guide: - 15-18 correct: Strong mastery — you're ready for Chapter 10 - 11-14 correct: Solid foundation with some gaps — review the sections where you struggled - 7-10 correct: Significant gaps — reread the chapter using the Fast Track sections, then retake - Below 7: Start with the vocabulary pre-loading table and reread Section 9.1 carefully before retrying
Full answers appear in Appendix I.