What is Multimodal Learning? A Simple Guide with Examples

A study from the University of Iowa found that students remember 50% more when they learn through more than one method—like seeing and hearing—than just reading or listening. That’s the power of multimodal learning. It combines things like videos, text, discussions, hands-on tasks, and movement so people can learn in the way that works best for them.

At work, not everyone learns the same. Some prefer visuals, others need to hear it or try it. A multimodal approach helps make learning clear and effective for all. Using different formats boosts engagement, supports different learning styles, and leads to better results. Let’s explore how to build a flexible learning plan using this method.

What is Multimodal Learning?

Multimodal learning means using more than one way to teach a concept. Instead of relying only on text or lectures, it mixes formats like videos, audio, visuals, reading materials, and hands-on activities. This approach helps people absorb information in the way that works best for them—whether they learn by seeing, hearing, doing, or reading.

In a workplace setting, this could look like a short video with captions, followed by a quick summary, and then a practical task. By layering the content, learners get more chances to connect with it—and that makes it easier to understand and remember.

This kind of learning keeps people engaged because it doesn’t assume everyone learns the same way. It also gives employees more control. They can choose the method that fits them best and apply what they’ve learned right away. With more options, learning becomes clearer, faster, and more effective across the board.

Multimodal Learning Styles

Multimodal learning is based on the VARK model, which identifies four main learning styles: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. People may use a mix of these styles, but most have one they prefer.

Visual Learners

These learners understand best when they see information. Diagrams, charts, and videos help them absorb and remember concepts. Visual learners often picture things in their minds when solving problems.

Auditory Learners

Auditory learners learn best through hearing. They remember information after listening to discussions, lectures, or podcasts. Speaking out loud helps them understand and process ideas more clearly.

Reading/Writing Learners

These learners prefer reading and writing to learn. They remember text better than images or sounds. Written materials like manuals, articles, or notes help them grasp new information.

Kinesthetic Learners

Kinesthetic learners learn by doing. Hands-on activities, projects, and role-playing help them understand the material. They often need to physically interact with what they’re learning to fully get it.

Understanding these styles helps you create training that works for everyone. By using a mix of these methods, you can keep your team engaged and make learning easier.

Multimodal Learning Examples

Multimodal learning combines different types of content to help everyone learn in the best way for them. Here’s how you can apply it in your organization:

Gamification

Games make learning more fun and keep employees interested. eLearning gamification also gives quick feedback, so learners stay on track.

• Visual learners enjoy seeing game graphics.
• Auditory learners benefit from sounds or spoken instructions.
• Reading/writing learners like text-based challenges.
• Kinesthetic learners learn best by actually doing tasks in the game.

Real-life Cases

Letting employees practice what they’ve learned in real-world situations helps them remember better. Case studies and simulations let learners try things out in a safe setting.

• Visual learners like seeing examples of real-world situations.
• Auditory learners learn from listening to others explain things.
• Kinesthetic learners gain from doing hands-on tasks.

Multimedia Content

Combining videos, images, sounds, and text helps everyone stay engaged.

• Visual learners focus on graphics and images.
• Auditory learners get information from voiceovers and sounds.
• Reading/writing learners pay attention to text or subtitles.
• Kinesthetic learners like interactive elements where they can try things out.

Video-Based Learning

Videos offer both visual and auditory learning. They’re perfect for quick lessons, especially shorter ones, while interactive videos get learners involved.

• Software training videos show learners exactly what to do.
• Role-playing videos teach communication skills.
• Live webinars let employees ask questions and interact with experts.

Interactive Assessments

Interactive quizzes or exercises let learners test their knowledge.

• Visual learners like questions with pictures or charts.
• Auditory learners prefer listening to questions or prompts.
• Kinesthetic learners enjoy tasks that require action or decision-making.

Role-Play Simulations

Simulations let employees practice in real-life scenarios. This is especially helpful for kinesthetic learners.

• Customer service training can involve practicing with mock customers.
• Safety training uses simulations to help learners react quickly in emergencies.

Written Materials

Reading and writing materials still matter, especially for those who learn best this way.

• E-books and articles give more details on specific topics.
• Written guides can help employees practice and refer back to as needed.

Audio-Based Learning

For those who prefer listening, consider audio tools like podcasts for learning on the go.

• Podcasts can be used while commuting or during downtime.
• Audio instructions can make complex ideas easier to understand.

Collaborative Learning

Working together helps learners share ideas and get new perspectives.

• Employees can join online discussions to share solutions.
• Team projects help everyone solve problems together.

Blended Learning

Blended learning mixes online and in-person methods to offer more flexibility.

• Workshops or live sessions can be followed by online lessons.
• Self-paced learning with hands-on practice lets employees explore topics at their speed.

Using these methods in your training helps keep employees engaged, improves learning, and makes training more effective for everyone.

Benefits of Multimodal Learning

Using different methods to create training content has several advantages. Most people learn best when they use more than one method. By offering training through different channels, you make it easier for employees to understand and remember information.

Customized Learning for Everyone

Not everyone learns in the same way, and that’s okay. Multimodal learning helps create training that suits everyone on your team. Whether someone learns best by seeing, hearing, reading, or doing, using different methods makes training more accessible for everyone.

When you offer training that learners can take on their own time, it’s easy for them to get distracted. Using multiple senses helps keep people focused. This approach also helps people with challenges like hearing or vision problems, allowing them to learn using their other senses.

Improved Memory and Understanding

We all know that hearing something more than once helps us remember it better. When you use multimodal learning, employees hear, see, and even do things in training. This makes it easier for them to keep the information.

For example, a training video can show how to do something, explain it with a voice, display text with captions, and even let the learner practice. This approach helps employees understand and remember what they learned better.

Easy Access to Training Online

Learning online is convenient, but it can be tough to stay focused, especially when staring at a screen for a long time. Multimodal learning makes online training more interesting and easier to follow.

With a good learning management system (LMS), you can offer training that works for all learning styles. This way, employees can access the training whenever they need it, and they’ll get the most out of it.

Keeping Learners Interested

Humans like to mix things up, and doing the same thing repeatedly gets boring. When training becomes boring, learners stop paying attention, and they don’t learn as well.

Multimodal learning keeps students engaged by offering different ways to engage with the material. Keeping learning fun helps employees stay focused and productive.

Better Long-Term Memory

One of the main reasons multimodal learning works well is that it’s fun. When learning feels enjoyable, employees tend to remember what they’ve learned better.

Since each person learns in their own way, giving them different formats to choose from helps improve employee retention.

Making Learning Accessible for Everyone

Not everyone has the same learning abilities, and multimodal learning makes sure no one gets left behind. For example, people who can’t see text on a screen can still learn if you add audio to your course.

Promoting Creativity and Problem-Solving

Multimodal learning gives learners the chance to think in new ways. With different types of content, learners can make new connections, try different approaches, and come up with creative solutions. This is especially valuable in organizations that want to foster innovation and new ideas.

Downsides of Multimodal Learning

Even though multimodal learning has many benefits, it’s important not to use too many methods at once. Overloading learners with too much text, too much audio, or too many images can confuse them and slow down their learning.

For instance, adding a new exercise for every single idea in the training might make it feel like too much. The key is to find the right balance.

When done right, using different types of content makes learning engaging, memorable, and effective without overwhelming the learners.

Multimodal Learning Strategies

Once you know the most common learning styles from the VARK system, here’s how to build a learning environment that keeps everyone engaged.

Find Out How Your Team Learns Best

Start by figuring out how your team likes to learn. This helps make sure everyone can get the most out of their training and makes it easier to communicate with them.
Ask employees who know their learning style to share it.

For those who don't, give them the VARK questionnaire and spend time looking over the results. If one style is more common than the others, use that to guide your training.

For example, let's say a human resources team creates video training for a meeting and goal-setting platform. A week later, three employees failed a test on using the platform. These employees prefer to learn by doing, but watching a 30-minute video didn’t grab their attention. They struggled to focus and missed key points.

To fix this, include interactive activities in the training. Add chances to practice and use real-life examples that suit visual and hands-on learners.

Use a Learning Management System (LMS)

Next, choose a learning management system to handle all your training needs, from new employee onboarding to skill development.

With a platform like the Coursebox AI, you can keep everything in one place and get the most out of your training efforts.

Pick a system that helps you start quickly with ready-made content that you can adjust to fit your team’s needs. The best LMS platforms also offer useful tools like integrations, tracking features, and easy-to-read reports.

Personalize Your Learning Plans

Adjust your learning paths to meet your team’s needs. For example, add more audio for people who learn best by listening or make it easy for those who like to write to take notes.

Don't focus too much on just one learning style, even if it's the most common. Mixing up the learning styles will keep things interesting for everyone.

Reuse What You Already Have

Instead of making new employee training materials for every learning style, reuse what you already have. For example, when bringing new staff up to speed or doing compliance training, hold a webinar, record it, and give a transcript. This will cover both visual and reading learners without creating extra work. Once you have the materials, upload them to a simple-to-use LMS that can support different learning styles.

Host Workshops and Team Meetings

Some people learn best by doing things, making workshops and team meetings great for them. These also help people who learn by talking things out with others.

Start with a fun icebreaker or a problem-solving activity based on real-life situations. For example, if you’re teaching your team about cybersecurity, host a 30-minute session where everyone updates their passwords in real-time.

Use examples from your company and ask employees to explain why certain cybersecurity steps matter. Leave time for questions and discussions to engage both hands-on and verbal learners.

Try Blended Learning

Blended learning has many benefits because it combines face-to-face and online training. You get the personal touch of in-person learning and the flexibility of online lessons.

When using blended learning, decide which parts of the training should be done in person and which parts should be online. This helps you build the best course for your team.

Let Employees Help Plan the Training

Get your team involved in planning and creating engaging training programs. This opens up conversations about how they like to learn.

Employees will often have great ideas for:

• The best way to deliver content
• How long the training should last
• The best times to hold training sessions

When employees help make decisions about their learning, they feel more valued. It also helps create training that everyone will enjoy and be more likely to use. They’ll be more motivated to finish the training they helped design.

Focus on Employee Well-being

In 2022, many employees left their jobs because they wanted better working conditions. Offering training that doesn’t match their learning styles will likely cause them to disengage and possibly leave.

Make sure employee well-being is part of your training programs. Online training allows employees to go at their own pace. Offering short, focused lessons that match their learning styles will help them succeed.

When you deliver training in the right way, employees can improve their skills while also supporting their well-being.

Measure How Well Your Program Is Working

Do you know if your training is working? In 2021, only 27% of learning and development (L&D) professionals checked how their programs were doing. But those who did found better ways to meet their team’s needs.

Ask for feedback and group responses based on learning style. For example, if kinesthetic learners struggle with your health and safety videos, you’ll know where to improve.

Use your LMS system to track progress. Look at course completions, work improvements, and other results. This helps you see where changes might be needed.

Coursebox AI Makes Multimodal Learning Simple and Powerful!

Multimodal learning helps your team stay engaged and learn the skills they need. By understanding how your team likes to learn, you can create training that’s both fun and effective.

Coursebox AI makes it easy to build training programs that use multimodal learning, covering different styles like watching, listening, or doing. Want to see how it works for your team? Book a demo today!