It's no secret that combining words and images often provides the most effective learning experience. That's because our brains are better able to retain material that contains meaningful connections between text and visuals, or “dual coding.” “Using dual coding helps transfer information from short-term working memory to long-term memory,” says Rachel Swanson, an instructional coach and sketchnote artist at Samsung. “This makes ideas more accessible.”
Sketchnoting (combining words, drawings, images, shapes, and fonts to create visual notes) is one way to realize the benefits of dual coding. Thanks to the continuous integration of digital devices into the classroom, it is easier and more dynamic than ever before, and special artistic skills are not required. Want to try sketchnoting with your students? Here's how to dive in.
Why are sketchnotes gaining popularity in educational settings?
Although the term “sketchnote” is relatively new, students and teachers have embraced this practice for years. For example, Mike Rohde published his The Sketchnote Handbook in 2012, ushering in a new interest in visual note-taking. In the field of education, Swanson said teachers and students today are much more familiar with the concept than they were 10 years ago. “I see more teachers using it and incorporating it more intentionally.”
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Part of its growing popularity is due to the ability to share ideas on social media. “Today, teachers have the opportunity to see what others are doing in their classrooms, with communities and hashtags popping up online where they can share ideas,” Swanson said. Ta. For example, check out the hashtags #sketch50, #sketchnotefever, and #sketchnotes on Instagram and X.
teach students sketchnotes
When Swanson goes into classrooms to train students and teachers in the art of sketchnoting, she often starts with fonts and print styles. This approach is especially helpful for children and adults who are doubting their own artistic talent, and Swanson has her students experiment with text size, different fonts, bold and italics, and see how stylistic elements work. We encourage you to think about how you can convey meaning. “You don't have to draw anything,” Swanson said. “You can make words look like what they mean. For example, you can make the word 'float' look like it's floating.” ”
When it comes to sketchnoting with images, Swanson recommends simplicity and speed. Rather than burdening students with perfect shapes and shading, teachers can break down every image into five simple components: circles, triangles, squares, dots, and lines. Time limits also help reduce the pressure on perfection and detail. “With these elements, we practice painting in a painterly style,” she said. “How do you draw a book? With a pencil? With practice, you'll be able to build simple models.”
Over time, students will develop a visual bank of images that are easy to draw. “Having a built-in collection of images allows you to combine photos and images more quickly,” he says Swanson. Some words are difficult to find a simple visual for, such as “statistics.” In these cases, she encourages students to spend time brainstorming images of a particular word and then selecting and drawing that word. In fact, the search itself is educational. “Your brain does a lot of connecting words and pictures with ideas.”
Application for sketchnotes
Sketchnotes are a great note-taking tool for any subject, especially for students who value visual connections. Once your students have mastered the basics, take the time to practice sketchnoting. Present a short lecture or video and have them take notes using a combination of text and images. Or, take a block of text and ask students to draw something that represents that section and helps them remember what it says. As part of this exercise, students may enjoy taking notes on post-its so they can rearrange ideas dynamically later.
In the field of science, sketchnotes can also be a powerful tool for memory retention. “A lot of scientific modeling is very visual, so it's a great way to help understand our brains,” Swanson explained. “I've seen some great strategies in the classroom where teachers work with students to explain models of the scientific process, such as how a photo travels from a mobile device to a social media platform.”
Subjects like science lend themselves well to visual aids, while other subjects may be more difficult. “Math is the hardest thing,” Swanson said. Of course, word problems lend themselves well to visual modeling, but students can also create visual aids to help them remember the definitions of math terms. “In addition to using images of mathematical reasoning models, think about how you can create images to represent terms and use a double-coding process.”
digital sketch notes
In the classroom, teachers can demonstrate sketchnoting on an interactive whiteboard such as the Samsung WAD Interactive Display. Students can create their own sketchnotes on tablets and touchscreen Chromebooks. “We have desktop sync, so students can share sketchnotes side by side,” he says.
This collaborative approach allows students and teachers to explore different ways to process the same information. “Thanks to technology, students can see those visuals in real time and have rich conversations about them.”
Another tool related to sketchnotes is the WAD accessory S Pen. This magic wand of sorts uses AI to guess what you're drawing and can pull relevant images into your note-taking document. “This could be a great accommodation for younger students or students who aren't as confident in drawing,” Swanson said.
Ultimately, she emphasized that you don't have to be an artist to be a sketchnotener. “It's the simple idea that's important. You're just drawing a shape. The key is to connect the image to the word. If a student is reluctant to draw, remove that part of the process and try again. Please make it easy to draw.”
Learn more about using digital whiteboards in education. This ultimate guide About using Samsung interactive displays in the classroom. Also, All Samsung Interactive Display products To find the model that best suits your needs, you need digital signage.