EDU 103: DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCE IN EDUCATIONAL
TECHNOLOGY.
Multisensory Approach
Multisensory techniques are frequently used for children with learning
differences. Studies from the National Institute of Child Health and Human
development (United States of America) have shown that for children with difficulties
in learning to read, a multisensory teaching method is the most effective teaching
method.
Multisensory teaching techniques and strategies stimulate learning by engaging
students on multiple levels. They encourage students to use some or all their senses
to:
Gather information about a task
Link information to ideas they already know and understand
Perceive the logic involved in solving problems
Learn problem solving tasks
Tap into nonverbal reasoning skills
Understand relationships between concepts
Store information and store it for later recall
Using a multisensory teaching technique means helping a child to learn
through more than one sense. Most teaching techniques are done using either sight or
hearing (visual or auditory). The childs sight is used in reading information, looking
at text, pictures or reading information based from the board. The hearing sense is
used to listen to what the teacher says. The childs vision may be affected by
difficulties with tracking or visual processing. Sometimes the childs auditory
processing may be weak. The solution for these difficulties is to involve the use of
more of the childs senses, especially the use of touch (tactile) and movement
(kinetic). This will help the childs brain to develop tactile and kinetic memories to
hang on to, as well as the auditory and visual ones.
Students with learning difficulties typically have difficulties in one or more
areas of reading, spelling, writing, math, listening comprehension and expressive
language. Multisensory techniques enable students to use their personal areas of
strength to help them learn. They can range from simple to complex, depending on the
needs of the student and the task at hand.
Learning Style
Some researchers theorize that many students have an area of sensory learning
strength, sometimes called a learning style. These researchers suggests that when
students are taught using techniques consistent with their learning styles, they learn
more easily, faster and can retain and apply concepts more readily to future learning.
Most students, with a difficulty or not, enjoy the variety that multisensory techniques
can offer.
Multisensory techniques which could be used to assist a student in his / her learning.
I. To stimulate visual reasoning and learning
Text and/or pictures on paper, posters, models, projection screens, computers
or flash cards
Use of color for highlighting, organizing information or imagery
Graphic organizers, outlining passages
Student created art, images, text, pictures and video
The above mentioned techniques often include visual teaching methods and
strategies.
II. Auditory techniques
Books on tape, peer assisted reading, paired reading and computerized text
readers
Video or film with accompanying audio
Music, song, instruments, speaking, rhymes, chants and language games
III. Tactile teaching methods
Multi sensory techniques that involve using the sense of touch are called tactile
methods. Tactile methods include strategies such as:
Sand trays, raised line paper, textured objects, finger paints and puzzles to
improve fine motor skills
Modeling materials such as clay and sculpting materials
Using small materials called manipulatives to represent number values to
teach math skills
IV. Kinesthetic methods
Multi sensory methods using body movements are called kinesthetic methods.
These involve fine and gross motor movements.
Games involving jumping rope, clapping or other movements paired with
activities while counting and singing songs related to concepts.
Any large movement activity for students involving dancing, bean bag tossing
or other activities involving concepts, rhythmic recall and academic competition such
as quizzes, flash card races and other learning games.
Multimedia Approach toTeaching Learning Process
Multimedia means digital integration of text, graphics, animation, audio, still
images, motion video.
Nature of Multimedia Approach
Multi -------- Many Media ------- Techniques or methods
Multimedia approach uses a number of media, devices, techniques in the
teaching learning process. Multimedia approach can convey vast information and
provide many sources from which student can access the information. It will improve
the teaching learning process.It is not restricted to a single type of learning style. It
can provide the support of a wide range of activities.Multimedia approach aims at
providing meaningful learning experience via a mix of media in order to achieve
predetermined objectives.Multimedia approach provides the opportunity to gain
mastery of competencies and skills.The choice of the media has to be done carefully
so that one does not hamper or reduce the effect of the other. That is each media must
complement the other.Multimedia approach will enable the learner to get access to
information in dynamic environment.
Procedure for Adopting Multimedia Approach
The following are the six steps to be followed while adopting the Multimedia
Approach
First Stage
In this stage the teacher initiates the teaching learning activities.
Teacher deliver a well prepared lesson based on the objectives formulated.
Teacher could use a variety of media for his presentation.
Second Stage
Teacher demonstrates a specific and specialized unit using a mix of media.
The teacher may provide learner with programmed learning materials, cassettes, CD's
etc.
Third Stage
This is a preparatory stage for the learner before he stars independent learning.
The student discusses with peer students and teachers his plan of action.
Forth Stage
In this stage the learner actively participates.
He uses variety of media and materials in his self-study.
Fifth Stage
In this stage the learner integrates theory and practice.
Sixth Stage
In this stage learner finds that teaching learning activities have to be organized on a
higher level.
The student involved in critical analysis, critical evaluation and exchange of ideas.
Role of Teacher in Multimedia Approach
Teacher has to adopt a number of methods and techniques.
Teacher has to aware of the different available media and their availability.
Teacher should be physically competent to use and demonstrate the use of the
different media.
Teacher should be skillful enough to make a judicious choice of media and competent
enough to mix them sequentially and in an orderly manner.
Teacher's role is that of a facilitator or manager of activities.
Teacher has to lead his student for independent, individualized learning.
Advantages of the multimedia Approach
Multimedia approach enable the student to represent information using several
different media.
Can arouse the curiosity among the learner and provide them vivid impressions.
Multimedia can take into account different learning styles some pupil learn by
interpreting text, while others require more graphical representations.
Can develop a positive attitude among the learners towards the teaching-learning
process.
Multimedia Approach allows for self-pacing
Technique of simulation can be effectively applied through the multimedia approach.
Helps in development of higher order thinking skills.
Multimedia approach provides the student the flexibility of 'any where', 'any time'
learning.
Helps in developing group and interpersonal skills.
Effective remediation programmes can be implemented through the multimedia
approach.
Multimedia approach can bridge language barriers since audio is not the only means
of communication.
Disadvantages of the multimedia Approach
Requires highly sophisticated infrastructure facilities, which may lead to heavy
financial burden.
Expertise and skill are required to operate the multimedia devices, which will lead to
the problem of non-availability of human resources.
Not feasible in the all topics of study.
Submitted by,
Aswathy Ashok
Optional: English
1st Year B.Ed.
