Good question! Multimodal literacy refers to the study of language that combines two or more modes of meaning and learning. Let's look at literacy a bit closer to get a better understanding--Literacy is not just the ability to read. Literacy is the process by which we make meaning of the world around us through language, and through sign and symbol systems. There are 6 modalities by which we make or construct this meaning: reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and visual representation. In other words: We make meaning when we read. We make meaning when we write. We make meaning when we listen. We make meaning when we speak. We make meaning when we view something, and we make meaning when we visually represent something (illustrate, graph, construct a symbol, etc.). We also know that we engage more than one of these modalities simultaneously (at the same time) as we construct meaning. That is what we mean by "multimodal literacy." We make meaning by engaging multiple modalities simultaneously.--Dr. Tim Murnen, PhD, Bowling Green State University  

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The idea is that I recreate this type of learning with my students. I believe this is important because with multimodal learning, students are exposed to various modes of learning and can cling to the mode or type of learning that works best for them!

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One way that I can implement multimodal learning into the classroom is through Digital Storytelling. Digital Stories are multimedia movies that combine photographs, video, animation, sound, music, text, and often a narrative voice. Digital stories may be used as an expressive medium within the classroom to integrate subject matter with existing knowledge and skills from across the curriculum. Take a look below at a Digital Story I created as well as some resources to help you and your child get started!

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