Hello again,

Multi-modality is probably not what you think it is. The very old model of teaching was based on face to face learning. The students were expected to show up to class at a specific location. All the content was taught by the teacher in a variety of ways: lecture-style, field-trip, hands-on small group work, guest speakers. The problem with this style of teaching is that it does not allow for everyone to participate. Students with mobility issues, illness, anxiety, and other symptoms aren’t always able to make it to school, or they can’t handle the kind of atmosphere that is the classroom.

To fix this, schools added online learning options (for college, university, and some high schools). This limits the students’ options. They can take the course in person and commit to 100% attendance and no distant options. Or, they can take the course online, and never be able to attend the class in person. This could reduce student motivation and learning. It also completely removes the extreme benefits of exploratory talk with other people.

The new and improved way to teach is not to offer online or in-person but to instead offer the best of all worlds. This method is called multi-modal. multi-modality is the in-class instruction with distance learning options (even if that distance is the room next door). Anxiety affects 1 in 5 elementary school students. The least we can do as teachers is to offer the choice of showing up, video conferencing, listening and talking via technology, or having a video recording of the class.

An important thing to keep in mind is the student’s choice. Should students have absolute control over how they learn?

This type of teaching doesn’t negatively affect the students that are able to show up on a daily basis. In fact, it is beneficial because the students are able to video/audio when they are not feeling well enough to come into class/school.

Specialists are able to video chat with the class, instead of having to, potentially, fly-in.

Overall, this multi-modal teaching is the future. As a teacher, I must learn new ways of teaching to better including as many students as possible. Developing my pedagogy, becoming an agent of change, and encouraging collaboration and community engagement are key to being a teacher in British Columbia.

Till next time,

Preston