Multi-modal learning involves using techniques that appeal to different types of learners and using different media to do so. According to an article by Laila Weir, the multi-modal approach is good, as long as the teacher doesn't try to use too many different things at the same time. Then it can become overwhelming for the learner. Students can only process one thing at a time, one sense at a time. Also interactive lessons should not be used for the more basic material, and should instead be saved to help students understand more complex material.
Print-based techniques focus more on traditional approaches such as textbooks to teach lessons. There is less visual stimulation and more focus on discipline, being able to focus, and a more rigidly structured style.
Though i could not find much information on the web about these two viewpoints, from what I gathered, I would say multi-modal is a better approach. I think it would allow different types of learners to succeed and also foster a deeper understanding of the subject matter presented. This is beuase I strongly believe the more angles a lesson is taught from, the more you can understand the material. Plus, our society is becoming completely submerged in the latest technology this and that, and therefore those advances should and can be used to benefit the students' learning environment.
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Weir, Laila. May 9, 2008. "Research Review: Multimodal Learning through Media." Edutopia: What Works in Public Education. The George Lucas Educational Foundation.
http://www.edutopia.org/multimodal-learning-teaching-methods-media
This website gave a discussion on multimodal learning and also reviewed a report put out by a networking and communications company called Cisco Systems. Overall the source is mostly opinion, but also references some statistics about the effectiveness of interactive learning techniques. The author is an editor and writer who has had work published around the world, but it doesn't give any indication of her knowledge or background in educational matters.
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