Have you ever encountered a situation where a teacher’s verbal explanation failed to help you understand the topic?
But as soon as you watched a video or a visual, it became clear and easy to understand. That’s how multimodal learning works.
In most schools, you'll find students with a mix of learning styles and habits. Some kids thrive on verbal explanations, while others retain concepts better through hands-on demonstrations. Plus, recent studies have shown that when students experience a blend of different learning styles—what we call multimodal learning—they tend to pick up knowledge faster and understand it more deeply.
What is Multimodal Learning?
To grasp the essence of multimodal learning, let’s first understand various modalities and their characteristics.
Modes represent different channels of information, including:
Speech
Audio
Written and printed
Illustrations
Music
Gestures
Movement
Facial expressions
Senses
Many standard online learning and online collaborative learning platforms are designed with these modalities. Nevertheless, understanding the principles of multimodal learning is valuable for educators aiming to enhance their teaching methods.
In addition, multimodal learning involves teaching a concept using multimodal modes simultaneously. By engaging learners with diverse learning styles at the same time, this approach accommodates a range of preferences, creating a more inclusive and effective learning experience.
The Multimodal Learning Style
While some choose one of the four learning types, many others prefer two or more types. We can classify them as multimodal learners. Multimodal learners display a nearly equal preference for various learning modes, allowing them to assimilate information from any of these channels. As you can guess, multimodal learners have higher chances of understanding and retaining information than learners who choose (mostly unconsciously) one mode. On the other hand, there are chances that some multimodal learners, however, require input from multiple modes for effective learning. The effectiveness of a multimodal learning style is mostly visible in environments that incorporate a variety of communication modes.
Why is Multimodal Learning Important?
Studies have demonstrated that the most effective way for students to learn is when educators utilize a combination of learning styles simultaneously. Multimodal learning fosters an engaging educational atmosphere, resulting in heightened student involvement. This is primarily because students are not required to conform to a particular learning style that does not suit their educational needs.
In modern times, students show a preference for digital learning and technology. In addition, when integrating videos into eLearning, strategies like promoting learning materials and captivating visuals can be employed to stimulate and enhance a learner’s creativity.
Types of Multimodal Learning: The VARK Model of Learning
Ever wonder why some people remember things better when they see them, while others need to hear the information or even touch and feel it? That’s where the VARK model comes in! VARK stands for visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic, representing the different ways people prefer to learn.
Visual
Visual learning utilizes visual elements such as graphs, infographics, cartoons, illustrations, videos, artwork, flowcharts, and diagrams. In other words, anything that engages with the learners’ eyes. Color coding information and highlighting key points with stickers are also aspects of visual learning.
Aural
Auditory learning primarily focuses on what we hear. In the context of training delivery, this could involve elements such as podcasts, audiobooks, webinars, or an instructor engaging in face-to-face discussions with learners. It is essential to note that group discussions and debates also have the potential to significantly contribute to auditory learning.
Read/Write
Reading and writing, the most familiar form of learning, involve text-based materials such as courses, PDFs, eBooks, books, and documents. Also, this category includes written assessments like multiple or true/false questions.
Kinesthetic
Kinesthetic learning involves physical activity, like site visits and demonstrations. It often combines various learning types, such as creating a video that utilizes visual, auditory, and kinesthetic skills. Importantly, these multimodal learning methods intersect and complement each other.
Benefits of Multimodal Learning
Multimodal learning is a powerful approach with multiple benefits for online and offline learning. Here’s why embracing multiple learning styles can make such a big difference:
Enhanced Understanding: When students are exposed to information in various formats—visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic—they’re more likely to grasp complex concepts. This multi-sensory approach helps reinforce learning and makes it stick.
Increased Engagement: Different students have different preferences. By incorporating multiple learning modes, teachers can capture the interest of a wider range of students, keeping them more engaged and motivated.
Improved Memory Retention: Engaging multiple senses can lead to better memory retention. When students see, hear, read, and do something, they’re more likely to remember it.
Supporting Diverse Needs: Every classroom has a diverse group of learners. Multimodal learning ensures that no student is left out, providing opportunities for all to succeed by catering to their unique learning styles.
Development of Critical Thinking: By experiencing material in different ways, students develop stronger critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They learn to approach problems from multiple angles and find creative solutions.
Adaptability: In the real world, problems don’t always come in one format. Multimodal learning prepares students to adapt and apply their knowledge in various contexts, making them more versatile learners.
Boosted Confidence: When students find a learning style that works for them and see their progress, their confidence grows. This positive reinforcement encourages them to take on new challenges with enthusiasm.
.
Multimodal Learning Strategies
Multimodal learning combines strategies from various styles. In a classroom example, a teacher assigns reading, presents a multimedia lecture with informative images and videos, and incorporates in-class activities for better understanding. Using such diverse learning styles ensures a well-organized representation of the course material, meeting the varied learning needs of students.
Educational games
Games incorporate various modes like images, words, colors, shapes, speech, and movement. While having fun, students often grasp valuable lessons without realizing it. This strategy can be effectively used by teachers to create a more engaging and effective learning environment.
Think-pair-share
This collaborative learning approach enhances students’ grasp of content, fosters cooperation, and encourages idea-sharing. It is also effective for formative assessments. The main three steps of think-pair-share are:
Think: Students reflect on course material on their own.
Pair: Students collaborate in pairs.
Share: Each pair presents their ideas to the class and addresses questions.
Case-based learning
Use real-life situations to introduce lessons, establishing meaningful connections to the curriculum. Case-based learning focuses on authentic case studies, enabling students to engage with real-world examples that align with classroom concepts. In addition, teachers guide class discussions on these cases, ensuring that students find connections.
Personalized journal entries
Use journal entries for students to express what they have learned in their own way. Make sure to make it fun by letting them choose how to do it- right, make charts draw, record videos, or share stories. In this way, learning becomes more personalized and fun.
Multimedia research projects
Promote multimodal research through projects that demand diverse sources and approaches. In addition, with the rise of new media forms, students can explore information through various traditional and digital channels in multimedia research projects.
How to Create a Multimodal Approach to Learning?
Add different media to your courses
To implement multimodal learning, start with diverse modes in your course planning. Think creatively, exploring formats such as audio, videos, and slides. Start by reintroducing the existing content and using external sources like YouTube videos and podcasts.
Use blended learning techniques
Blended learning combines traditional face-to-face training with online instruction through a learning management system. It combines the benefits of direct interaction in a classroom with the convenience of e-learning.
Do multimodal assignments
Assigning multimodal tasks allows learners to express creativity and engage different aspects of their minds. According to Cognitive Learning Theory, active learner involvement enhances retention, making multimodal assignments more likely to result in successful learning experiences.
Providing feedback through different media
Using a short video to provide feedback on your learning management system is a great option. Email feedback poses a risk of misinterpretation due to its impersonal nature. On the other hand, with a video, learners can hear the instructor’s encouraging voice and see their gestures, ensuring that students fully understand that the feedback is constructive.
Conclusion
Multimodal learning is a dynamic educational approach that combines various modes such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements, ensuring a well-organized and engaging learning experience for students with diverse preferences and learning styles. In fact, it is another form of personalized learning (maybe wider), but it is aimed at delivering a personalized experience on your learning journey.