Landmark360

Definition

Multisensory teaching is effective for all students. In general, it means presenting all information to students via three sensory modalities: visual, auditory, and tactile.

Visual presentation techniques include graphic organizers for structuring writing and pictures for reinforcing instruction; auditory presentation techniques include conducting thorough discussions and reading aloud; and tactile presentation techniques include manipulating blocks and creating paragraphs about objects students can hold in their hands. Overall, implementing a multisensory approach to teaching is not difficult; in fact, many teachers use such an approach. It is important, however, to be aware of the three sensory modes and to plan to integrate them every day.

In Practice

“We recently talked about physics (motion, momentum, speed, velocity, Newton’s Laws, etc.) in my physical science class. I had my classes participate in a roller coaster competition, in which they built roller coasters out of paper and tape to get a marble around a loop, over a hill, and around two turns, based on their knowledge of the physics concepts that we had talked and written about. Using multiple modalities allowed students to see the concepts come to life, and they were engaged and interested. Students were also engaging in teamwork, accessing their long-term project planning skills, and utilizing vocabulary in context.” —Michelle Boucher, High School faculty

Take a look at Landmark's other Teaching Principles

#1 Provide Opportunities for Success

#3 Micro-Unit and Structure Tasks

#4 Ensure Automatization Through Practice and Review

#5 Provide Models

#6 Include Students in the Learning Process