UNIT 5.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY: The e-Paradigm

At the end of the unit, the students will be able to:

1. determine the applications or softwares that aid one in developing materials for
communication;
2. apply the techniques in manipulating the applications; and
3. evaluate the impact of technology upon various modes of communication

Lesson 1
Technology as Means of Communication

“Rapid changes in technology have created a market, and a society, where

information is king.” - Rahim, E. & Dawson, M.

The application of technology to further one’s cause is a challenging undertaking

to begin with. Living in a digital climate requires us to become more sensitive to their
uses to be able to stay on track. With this, we should be knowledgeable of the many
options available to convey messages that are presentable and engaging. And
nowadays, there are several sites and applications that can help anyone who would
want to present an output in a more dynamic way by virtue of colors, images,
animations, templates and so on.
Over the past period, technology has altered the methods that human beings use
to communicate. Initially, the telegraph paved the way for the telephone. Nowadays,
online chat and video calls, cell phones, emails, and social media are the most
preferred methods of communication. Following the widespread use of technology in
communication, society and businesses have embraced the methods of passing
information, which has emerged in line with technology.
Ibrahim Alhadlaq (2016) in his paper "How Technology Influences
Communication" he concluded that “Technology has influenced communication through
improved quality, diminished communicating cost, altered nature and style of
communication”. There are various ways of communication that utilize technology that
we are using today which include email, blogs, video calls, cellular phones, online chats
and other social networking sites. It has also become apparent that one should seek to
use technology when faced with the challenge of barriers in their communication.
Technology also helps in facilitating recording and storage of verbal communication and
retaining old contacts, as well. However, it is inevitable the negative impact of misuse of
technology on the development of interpersonal skills for which according to Ibrahim
Alhadlaq should be avoided especially in cases where such skills require being
nurtured. This should apply also when communicating with people who do not
understand how certain communication gadgets operate.

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Lesson 2
Multimodal Engagement

According to The Gordon Kelly Academic Success Centre, students learn

quicker, effectively, and retain most of what is being taught when exposed to multiple
learning styles. Therefore, for an effective and efficient holistic educational experience,
teachers or course instructors need to be well-versed in implementing multimodal
learning (Multimodal Learning, 2021).

What is Multimodal Learning?

Multimodal learning is a teaching concept that effectively uses more than one
mode to pass information and relies on the use of different types of media and teaching
tools to educate learners (Multimodal Learning, 2021).
Multimodal learning according to Caroline Lawless (2019) means that a number
of our senses – visual, auditory, kinaesthetic – are being engaged during learning, thus
we understand and remember more. By combining these modes, learners experience
learning in a variety of ways to create a diverse learning style.

Benefits of Multimodal Learning?

Multiple research has proven that educators’ application of multimodal concepts
helps create an exciting learning environment with increased engagement from the
students. In addition, this aids the students to learn effectively and efficiently because
they are not required to conform to a specific learning style that doesn’t suit them.
Multimodal learning methods also ensure students who must learn differently to
benefit from a lesson as others effectively learn (Multimodal Learning, 2021).

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Types of Multimodal Learning
There are four main methods of multimodal learning; visual, auditory, reading
and writing and kinesthetic (VARK). (Lawless, Caroline 2019).
1. Visual learning. Visual learning involves the use of graphs, infographics, cartoons
and illustrations, videos, artwork, flowcharts, and diagrams – anything that
primarily stimulates your learners eyes. Techniques like color coding information,
using different fonts and labelling important points with stickers are all part of
visual learning too.
2. Auditory learning. Auditory learning is mostly concerned with what we listen to.
For an organization delivering training, this can come in the form of a podcast,
webinar, audiobook, or an instructor talking to learners face-to-face. Group
discussions or debates on the topics covered can all form part of auditory
learning.
3. Kinesthetic learning. Kinesthetic learning gets learners active; it can involve site
visits, demonstrations and multimedia presentations. It’s often a combination of
several types of learning together; for example, making a video combines visual,
auditory and kinesthetic skills; the different methods of multimodal learning don’t
operate in a vacuum – they intersect with each other.
4. Reading and writing. This type of learning we are most familiar with. Text-based
courses, PDF’s, documents, books, and eBooks are often used. Additionally,
most written exams or assignments, like true and false or multiple choice
questions, come under this bracket too.

How to Create a Multimodal Approach to Learning

Multimodal approach is not only applicable in a classroom set up but it can be
utilized by a manager or training team when facilitating training sessions to their
employers. Below are a few steps on how to do it (Multimodal Learning, 2021).
1. Apply different media to your courses. Use a Learning Management System that
supports a wide range of content formats to create your course. Then incorporate
different formats like audio, slides, video, and word to create interactive learning
courses.
2. Create Multimodal Assignments. Cognitive Learning Theory suggests that
learners will retain more of their training when actively involved in the learning
process. Hence, it would be best to take advantage of multimodal means of
assessment in your eLearning courses. Furthermore, creating a multimodal
assignment for your learners ignites their creativity. It allows them to engage
different parts of their brain in the learning process, which are likely to create
better results.
3. Provide feedback through different Media. With eLearning, it is challenging to
give feedback in person, and sticking to a particular multimodal approach such
as emails to generate feedback could be misinterpreted by the learners as the
tone is impersonal. Thus recording a short video which combines all multimodal
approaches and posting it on your LMS could be a great solution. With the video,

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 learners can see from your relaxed body language and hear your encouraging
tone. This will help them understand that your feedback is well-meant.

References
1. Alhadlaq, Ibrahim (2016). How Technology Influences Communication.
International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume 7, Issue 1,
January-2016 960 ISSN 2229-5518. Retrieved date: October 21, 2021 from
https://www.ijser.org/researchpaper/How-Technology-Influences-
Communication.pdf
2. Multimodal Learning (2021). What is Multimodal Learning? Retrieved date:
October 21, 2021 from: https://courseforme.com/what-is-multimodal-learning/
3. Lawless, Caroline (2019). Multimodal Learning: Engaging Your Learner’s
Senses. Retrieved date: October 21, 2021 from:
https://www.learnupon.com/blog/multimodal-learning

Supplementary Videos
1. Esparar, Junry (2021). Lesson 6: Multimodal Engagement.
URL:https://youtu.be/t8D7OwzJS3w
2. Teaching Without Fails (2016). How To Retell a Story for Kids.
URL:https://youtu.be/w33-m8-geuM
3. U of G Library (2019) What is Digital Storytelling? URL:https://youtu.be/JIix-
yVzheM

Suggested Readings
1. Roell, Kelly. (2020, August 27). The Kinesthetic Learning Style: Traits and Study
Strategies. Retrieved date: October 21, 2021 from
https://www.thoughtco.com/the-kinesthetic-learning-style-3212046
2. Orihuela, José Luis (2003). eCommunication:The 10 Paradigms of Media in the
Digital Age. Retrieved date: October 21, 2021 from:
https://www.academia.edu/26081502/eCommunication_The_10_paradigms_of_
media_in_the_digital_age
3. Roell, Kelly. (2020, August 27). The Kinesthetic Learning Style: Traits and Study
Strategies. Retrieved date: October 21, 2021 from
https://www.thoughtco.com/the-kinesthetic-learning-style-3212046

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