Multisensory learning and the future of teaching

Learning is sometimes a difficult task and whether we realize it or not, we have been trained to learn. From very early we have learned from being read to, from watching television or from memorizing. We have also learned from examples and experience. An old Chinese proverb says, “Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I might remember; involve me and I’ll understand.” It is with that sentiment that I will discuss the benefits of multisensory learning.

How many times have you sat in a classroom where you were completely bored? Think back to your many years in elementary, middle, or high school. What was the learning format? Did the teacher stand in front of the class and lecture while you were trying to absorb the material? Was taking notes as interactive as possible? As society becomes more high-tech and children are bombarded with more information from more sources, much of it on demand, I believe teaching strategies will need to evolve.

Multisensory learning offers the student the opportunity to memorize something by experiencing it. Reading about baking a cake is not as productive as actually baking one. The child learns about the ingredients and how they feel and smell. They learn about mixing, how long it takes to bake a cake, and what it smells like when it’s done. They also learn how wonderful he tastes. Children who are tactile learners or children with disabilities have the opportunity to learn the same material as a child who would easily learn just by reading. Gifted children would not be subject to boredom as they would also be involved in the learning process. Multisensory learning is a gateway to improving the learning process for all children.

Each lesson should include a hands-on experience. If the lesson is about fractions, let the children play with plastic cakes with slices to understand. If the lesson is about writing, play games that allow students to identify better writing techniques. Use the computer and online resources to take learning to a new level where they can see, hear, and interact. Consider the potential of touch screens in education, where a child can easily swipe objects back and forth on the screen and learn in the process.

Today’s students are internet savvy and familiar with on-demand learning. Many of today’s classrooms are still trying to push information when they should engage the student, essentially drawing the student into a lesson. The benefits of multisensory learning are better comprehension, better retention, and a more inclusive learning environment that takes into account variations in student abilities. To be successful, teachers must engage their students by creating learning environments that engage all of the student’s senses.