#H

Multimodal learning occurs when media is combined with spoken word or written text.  Visuals including photo, video, or models may be used as well as audio or other media.  This type of teaching appeals to a wider variety of learning styles than lecture alone.  We all know that people learn in different ways, but the key is using that information to tailor a lesson to reach every student.  Surely, each classroom is different and there is some trial and error involved, but utilizing different forms of media to supplement the curriculum is advantageous to all students.  

Walk into any lecture on any campus anywhere in the United States and you will likely see a powerpoint presentation.  I know, I just finished praising multimodal learning, but most powerpoint presentations make eyes glaze over and brains tune out.  Media must not only exist, but it must be interesting and engaging.  Using questions or comments for short answers can spur critical thinking.  Powerpoint learning games are an fun and practical use of powerpoint.  Finally, there are some other options.  Next generation presentation tools such as Prezi, Glogster, and animoto allow for collaboration, digital posters, video creation and a different presentation experience, which is a quite a welcome change. 

Photo Credit: Jonatas Cunha

Capturing and editing digital photo and video is immersive and fun.  Creativity can be unleashed and students can break out of their shell with their newly instilled confidence.  When students use these tools to create content, they are teaching their peers, which requires a deeper understanding of their subject matter.  Giving a student a camera enables the teacher to see the world through their eyes which creates a better teacher-student relationship.

Cunha, S. (2006, July 3). Retrieved October 19, 2016, from https://www.flickr.com/photos/jonycunha/
Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Selecting Multimodal Input in CLIL. (2015, July 28). Retrieved October 19, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN79TNyFChM