MultiModal Learning
MultiModal Learning
MultiModal Learning
digging into:
Pictures
Illustrations
Audio
Speech
Writing and print
Music
Movement
Gestures
Facial expressions
Colors
Think about your answer to this question, then consider what your friends or family
would pick. Are the answers different?
Many people have different answers and some might wish to choose a combination
of them. This is the concept of learning styles, at its core.
VA
RK model. Image source: Kompas Muda
The subsections of the VARK model are:
Visual — these people learn best by seeing, responding to visual cues like
images, graphs or charts. They might be distracted by seeing things outside.
Aural — these people learn best by hearing, responding to auditory cues
like verbal instruction, discussions or songs. They might be distracted by
outside noises.
Read/Write — this is sometimes listed as a subsection of the visual category,
but the VARK model puts it in its own category. These people learn best
by reading and writing, responding to written cues like lecture notes, books
and cue cards. They might be distracted by poorly worded text, or text that
doesn’t match speech.
Kinesthetic — these people learn best by doing, responding to tactile cues
like movement, actions and real-life examples. They might be distracted by
uncomfortable seats or room temperatures.
Students can answer the VARK questionnaire to discover their own learning style.
Other personality tests, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, offer more insight
into how individuals learn best.
Image source: VARK
A multimodal learning style works most effectively with many communication
inputs, or modes. A multimodal learner will thrive in a comprehensive learning
environment that uses visual, auditory and kinesthetic inputs — both verbal and
non-verbal — including videos, images, actions, real-life examples and hands-on
activities.
Multimodal learning can also benefit children and improve abilities. Research from
Cisco found students who were given a combination of text and visuals learned
better than those who only received text inputs. Compared to the more rigid
unimodal learning you might picture when you think of traditional classroom
settings, multimodal learning is more effective at teaching.
So
urce: Cisco
Similarly, a study on English language learners found improvements in student
writing abilities when they used multimodal learning strategies. Another
study found most students prefer to have visual inputs involved in lessons, rather
than text alone.
Most interactions are multimodal. There are very few occasions where someone
communicates using just one mode, so teaching children should be the same.
Using one mode to teach — for example, reading from a textbook — doesn’t
stimulate students’ minds or prepare them for real world situations.
Infographics
Videos
Slides
Visual worksheets
Interactive learning
Online learning
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Communication aids, such as PECS, are another useful form of multimodal text
that let students practice different methods of communication. Traditionally,
teachers use PECS to target those with communication difficulties, but they can be
beneficial to all students.
2. Reduce overload
Multimodal learning involves interaction with many different inputs at once. If the
teacher doesn’t properly organize the output, students can reach overload,
becoming overwhelmed, overstimulated and, ultimately, disengaged in class.
When students are free to express their ideas in dynamic ways, criteria for grading
should reflect these methods of delivery. The understanding, expression, and use
of multimodality should all be part of the grading process. Clear guidelines of
expectations on the use of multimedia should be outlined to students in their
assignment rubrics.
The feedback process should also reflect multimodality and learning differences.
For example, giving a visual learner traditional number grades and written
statements won’t have the same impact as visual feedback would.
Although teachers traditionally offer feedback in printed forms, they should also
use multimodal formats to reach every student and encourage two-way dialogue.
1. Educational games
Almost all games naturally use many modes at once — words, images, colors,
shapes, speech, movement and more. Plus, kids can’t get enough of them. Students
have so much fun playing games that they often don’t realize they’re learning at the
same time!
Teachers can bring many different games to their classrooms to help students learn
and practice relevant skills. For example, after a traditional multiplication lesson,
classes can play multiplication games for a fun, multimodal experience that
solidifies learning.
Digital game platforms like Prodigy are another great option for classrooms,
adding an extra mode to the learning experience: technology.
Prodigy is a no-cost, adaptive math platform that helps students from 1st to 8th
grade practice more than 1,500 curriculum-aligned math skills in an engaging,
multimodal format.
Used by more than 1.5 million teachers and 50 million students around the world,
this interactive game provides written questions, visual representations, adaptive
feedback, supportive technology and collaboration– incorporating many different
communication modes into one highly engaging math activity.
Since the platform uses multimedia, its educational benefits can reach kids with
varied learning styles and support their individual development in math.
Prodigy makes it easy to reinforce in-class lessons and target specific student needs
using differentiated instruction. Plus, the Reports tool helps teachers and admins
track student comprehension, progress and engagement. This means you can
quickly access important data to ensure students are supported and able to reach
their full potentials.
Students are more confident because of the extra practice they receive with
Prodigy. My students typically score higher than others on district screeners and
math benchmarks because I am able to individualize and differentiate instruction
using the Prodigy reports.
Kimberly Martin
2nd Grade Teacher
Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools
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2. Think-pair-share
This collaborative learning strategy improves student understanding of material,
cooperation with classmates and expression of ideas. It’s also a great method for
conducting formative assessments.
Im
age source: Giulia Forsythe on Flickr
Think-pair-share follows three simple steps:
1. Think — students take time to think about the lesson material individually.
2. Pair — students pair up to discuss their ideas and findings with each other.
3. Share — each pair shares their thoughts with the class and answers
questions from classmates.
Pair students with similar learning styles or put different styles together for more
compelling conversations and learning opportunities.
3. Case-based learning
Use real-life scenarios to introduce or supplement lessons and make relevant
connections to school curriculum.
Case-based learning means lessons revolve around actual case studies. Students
read, hear or see real examples that relate to the concepts they’re learning in class.
Teachers facilitate class discussions about these cases and ensure students are
making important connections. To take learning even further, teachers can also
assign questions or projects about the cases.
This method gives concrete evidence that the things learned in class are actually
useful and meaningful in the real world, motivating students to learn more.