Multimodal Learning: Designing Curriculum for Different Learning Styles

31 August 2025

Let’s face it—everyone learns in their own quirky way.

Some of us love scribbling notes, while others would rather watch a video or get hands-on with a task. Maybe you're the type who remembers something best when you teach it to someone else. Sound familiar? That’s the beauty of multimodal learning.

In today’s diverse classrooms (and let’s not forget virtual learning spaces), sticking to a one-size-fits-all teaching strategy just doesn’t cut it anymore. That’s where multimodal learning jumps in—smart, flexible, and ready to meet students where they are.

So, let’s dive into what multimodal learning really means, why it matters, and how educators can design curriculums that actually click with different learning styles.

What Is Multimodal Learning Anyway?

At its core, multimodal learning is all about mixing it up.

It’s an approach that uses multiple methods to teach and helps students absorb and engage with information in the ways that work best for them. We’re talking visuals, audio, reading/writing, kinesthetic activities—you name it.

Instead of just reading a textbook or listening to a lecture, students might watch a video, work in groups, complete a hands-on project, and then write about their experience. It’s like a buffet of learning opportunities where everyone gets to fill their plate their way.

The VARK Model: A Quick Refresher

You've probably heard of the VARK model (if not, no worries—it’s easy to get the hang of). It breaks down learning preferences into four main types:

- Visual Learners – They thrive on images, colors, charts, and diagrams.
- Auditory Learners – They need to hear the information to process it.
- Reading/Writing Learners – Give them text, and they’ll dive right in.
- Kinesthetic Learners – They learn by doing, touching, and moving.

But here’s the twist most people forget: many folks are actually multimodal learners. They need a mix of styles to fully grasp a concept. And here’s where curriculum design becomes both an art and a science.

Why Multimodal Learning Should Be the New Norm

You wouldn’t wear a one-size-fits-all shirt to a formal dinner, right? Same with education. Sticking to just one method can leave lots of students behind.

Boosts Engagement

When students can connect with material in a way that makes sense to them, they actually want to learn. Engagement shoots up. Suddenly, that “boring” history unit becomes cool when paired with a documentary, a virtual museum tour, or a group project.

Improves Retention

We remember things better when they’re presented in various formats. It’s like reinforcing a message from different angles so it really sticks. Think of it like a song you can’t get out of your head—it plays in different rhythms, but the tune stays the same.

Encourages Inclusive Learning

Multimodal learning breaks down barriers. It supports students with different abilities, backgrounds, and learning differences like dyslexia or ADHD. It gives everyone a fair shot at understanding and success.

Designing Curriculum for All Learning Styles: Where to Start?

If you’re an educator or curriculum designer thinking, “This sounds great, but how do I do it?”—you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t need to scrap your existing lesson plans. Small tweaks can go a long way.

Let’s walk through how to build a well-rounded curriculum using multimodal strategies.

1. Know Your Learners

First things first—get to know your students. Not just their names, but how they learn best.

You can:

- Use quick learning style surveys or quizzes.
- Observe how students respond to different activities.
- Have informal chats about what helps them “get it”.

Once you know your crowd, you can tailor your lessons to hit the sweet spots.

2. Blend the Modes

Here’s the fun part—bring in variety. For every new concept, try combining at least two or more teaching styles.

Let’s say you’re teaching the water cycle.

- Visual: Show diagrams and animations.
- Auditory: Play a song or have a discussion.
- Reading/Writing: Assign an article or a journal entry.
- Kinesthetic: Have students create a model or do an experiment.

Mixing modes not only reaches more learners, it also reinforces understanding.

3. Incorporate Technology (It’s Your Friend!)

Today, edtech tools are a goldmine for multimodal learning.

- Apps like Kahoot! make quizzes fun and visual.
- YouTube & TED-Ed offer bite-sized video lessons.
- Google Docs & Padlet encourage collaborative writing.
- Virtual labs and simulations let students experiment digitally.

And the best part? Many of these tools are free and easy to use, even for tech newbies.

4. Use Real-World Connections

The more relevant learning feels, the more students buy in. Make lessons practical and connected to everyday life.

For example, when teaching percentages:

- Have them calculate discounts while shopping.
- Use real data (like sports stats or social media analytics).
- Encourage them to track personal goals using percentages.

Real-world tasks cater to multiple modalities and make learning stick like glue.

5. Encourage Student Choice

Students feel empowered when given options. Why not let them choose how they demonstrate what they’ve learned?

Give them a menu like:

- Create a poster
- Write a report
- Record a podcast
- Build a model
- Perform a skit

This taps into their strengths while still meeting the learning objectives.

6. Reflect and Revise

No curriculum is perfect from the start. Collect feedback. See what clicks and what flops.

Try:

- Short reflection surveys
- Exit tickets (quick notes students fill out before leaving)
- Peer and self-assessments

Use that info to tweak future lessons. Think of it like updating your recipe based on taste tests—you want every student to leave the classroom full of understanding.

Practical Multimodal Lesson Plan Example

Let’s break it down with a simple example: a lesson on photosynthesis.

Objective: Understand the process of photosynthesis.

| Learning Style | Activity |
|---------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|
| Visual | Watch a short animation explaining the process. |
| Auditory | Listen to a teacher-led mini-lecture or a student-made podcast. |
| Reading/Writing | Read a short article and summarize it in their own words. |
| Kinesthetic | Build a paper model showing the steps or act it out in a skit. |

At the end, let students choose how they want to show what they learned—a drawing, a mini-explainer video, a written report, or a group presentation.

Common Challenges (And How To Tackle Them)

Alright, let’s be real. Designing for different learning styles sounds like a ton of work. But before you throw your lesson plans out the window, here’s how to handle the typical bumps.

Time Constraints

Start small. You don’t have to do everything at once. Add one new modality at a time and build from there. Even short videos or peer discussions can make a difference.

Limited Resources

Use what you have. Tons of free platforms online support multimodal content. And hey, not everything has to be digital—good ol’ paper, markers, and discussion still work wonders.

Resistance to Change

Change can feel uncomfortable—for teachers and students. Introduce new activities gently. Explain the “why” behind it. Let students see the value in learning differently.

The Future Is Multimodal

Multimodal learning isn’t just an educational trend—it’s the way forward. It reflects how the real world works. Think about it: when you're trying to fix your car, you might watch a YouTube tutorial, read the manual, and actually get your hands greasy—all at once.

By designing curriculum that embraces different learning styles, we're not just making school more enjoyable. We’re helping students become more versatile, self-aware, and confident learners.

And isn’t that the ultimate goal?

Conclusion: Embrace the Mix

Multimodal learning is like building a playlist with songs for every mood—not just one genre on repeat. It respects individual differences while promoting deeper, more meaningful learning experiences.

So whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting out, it’s time to ditch the outdated one-way teaching and embrace the mix. Because every student deserves to be heard, seen, and challenged in ways that work for them.

Let’s teach like everyone’s watching, listening, doing, and growing—together.