Multimodal learning:

Multimodal learning is the effective use of multiple modalities or delivery methods in teaching and learning process. As discussed by Dr William Cope in the video Multimodal Meaning-Part 3A, when students are writing a science report about volcanoes, it’s good to write a scientific report with labelling rather than writing a report only with text/words. Supporting text with images can be called as multimodal text. If report consists of videos or audio clips, knowledge representation in this new communication area can be called as a multimodal knowledge representations. In the current scenario students are well-versed with technology. The learners of today and of the future, will need to be able to engage with knowledge in a multimodal way.

In this video: Principles of Multi-Modal Learning, it has been explained that “Research shows that multimodal videos are effective at improving student performance for both basic and advanced skills as well as in interactive and non-interactive environments, but they are most effective when used to present complex material in an interactive environment”. In multimodal learning, teacher will come up with relevant visuals to reinforce the lecture and use multimedia presentation including real time pictures, animations etc. that goes along with the lesson. Presenting material in a variety of modes may also encourage students to develop a more versatile approach to their learning (Hazari, 2004). Multimodal learning can include mobile apps, e-learning platforms, simulations and other technology-enabled modalities as well as formats such as instructor-led training (ILT), on-the-job training (OJT) or coaching (Taryn Oesch, 2018).

Video learning:

The phenomenal growth of online video learning as opened up a world of potential to teaching and learning process. Over the last few years, online video learning has taken the world by storm. Many people are embracing it, and the growth of platforms like Coursera, Udemy and Lynda.com seems to illustrate this point (David MacHale, 2016). Video-based learning is passive if we just hit the play-button and sit back like we did with VHS tapes in the past. But active learning now happens through a variety of content styles including 2D/3D animation, virtual environments or interactive video. By asking the learner to engage via knowledge checks, drag and drop tests, quizzes, or scenario-based video learning, it is no longer just passive learning.

Different people learn at a different pace. Therefore video learning allow leaner to go back to look at certain points in the course, and replay a segment until its better understood. In fact, research carried out claims that 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual and that visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text. Plus, a report from Forrester states that one minute of video is worth 1.8M words.

Technological and economical advances have helped transform the content and how it is taken. The majority of people today are already learning via video on smartphones at home. Considering all these concepts and various studies, multimodal teaching was implemented in my regular teaching and learning process as a faculty at a higher educational institution.

Teaching & learning process was carried out through various collaborative activities and lectures were especially planned and designed to be interactive. The course content was delivered through various modalities according to student’s learning styles. As I am dealing with civil engineering modules, it requires lot of imagination and knowledge on practical methodologies being implemented in construction field. Visual and video learning strategies were implemented in such a way that, PPTs were modified with relevant pictures with the text. These pictures supported students to visualise the actual structure or work done during the construction sites. Self-recorded interactive lecture videos were developed through Vizia, Play-posit and TEDEd to explain the concepts along with online videos on constructions works from various sources. This teaching and learning strategies found beneficial. So, from my practices I can strongly say that, multimodal learning strategies in teaching and learning environment have positive impacts towards enhancing student’s understanding and retaining capabilities.

References:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1cpVk1up5JiiIATRXaqdb_SQ0pJlMA-a4

https://academics.uafs.edu/academic-success/visual-learning-strategies

https://classroom.synonym.com/multimodal-teaching-strategies-12049345.html

https://trainingindustry.com/articles/content-development/blending-learning-finding-the-mix-of-modalities-thats-right-for-your-organization/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b17YT-m2DGk

https://elearningindustry.com/4-biggest-myths-video-learning

Hazari, S. (2004). Applying instructional design theories to improve efficacy of technology-assisted presentations. Journal of Instruction Delivery Systems, 18(2), 24-33.