Exploring The Modality Effect

Big Question:


"How can you assist learners process ideas and information faster?"

Let's explore TWO key ideas that can help us answer this question.

Evidence-Based Strategies

John Hattie's ground-breaking study “Visible Learning” he ranked 138 influences that are related to learning outcomes from very positive effects to very negative effects. The positive effects can accelerate student learning when greater than 0.40 (a.k.a. hinge point).

“What works best in education?”

Key #1 - The Modality Effect (d=0.55)

This instructional strategy (modality effect) accelerates student learning.

The modality effect refers to how learner performance depends on the presentation mode. Improve learning when you present textual information in enhanced mode. That is, when text includes auditory format, and/or visual materials. Visual materials could include a graph, diagram, or animation.

Source: Visible Learning Meta X database

The Modality Effect is a surface learning strategy. That is, it is best used to introduce students to concepts, skills, and/or strategies. Strategies seek to help students gain requisite knowledge needed to move forward to deep learning.

Key #2 - Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

In Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Checkpoint 2.5 suggests we encourage students to learn to "Illustrate through multiple media."

Text, a weak format for presenting concepts, often dominates classroom materials. For learners who have text- or language-related disabilities, it may be ineffective.

How Do You Overcome That?

One way to overcome that is to provide alternative activities that involve processing information via:

a) illustrations,

b) simulations,

d) images

e) interactive graphics

f) infographics

Today's Session:

Learn how to use simple technologies to enhance the Modality Effect, as well as UDL's non-linguistic representation.