Sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Our five senses shape how we experience the world.
From feeling the texture of the sand between our fingers to hearing a song that brings back a memory, each sense plays a role in how we learn, remember, and connect.
That’s why multisensory learning is so powerful. It takes learning beyond just listening or reading and turns it into an experience that helps students interact with material in memorable and fun ways.
Let’s learn more about multisensory learning, why it works and how to apply it in the classroom.
What Is Multisensory Learning?
Multisensory learning, also known as ‘whole brain’ learning, is about using more than one sense simultaneously to improve the learning experience. For example, instead of just reading about how mountains form, students can shape sand into a mountain and watch how water flows over it, or listen to the sounds of rain as it impacts the landscape. By activating multiple senses, students connect more deeply with the content, making it easier to understand and remember.
Why It Works
Multisensory learning hits a lot of important points when it comes to effective teaching:
1. Supports different learning styles: Students learn in different ways. Some are visual learners, some are auditory and others are kinesthetic (they learn by doing). There are also neurodiverse learners, such as those with ADHD, dyslexia or other learning differences. Multisensory learning provides multiple ways to process information, making education more accessible and inclusive.
2. Better retention: The more senses teachers engage, the better students remember what they’ve learned. Research shows that the brain works harder and remembers more when getting input from more than one sense.
3. Improves student engagement and focus: Multisensory instruction keeps students engaged by grabbing their attention. It works with the brain’s Reticular Activating System (RAD), which controls focus and reaction. Since our brains aren’t naturally wired for reading, creating a low-stress and fun environment is key for successful learning. Combining multisensory activities like movement, listening, looking and speaking helps students stay focused and makes it harder for their minds to wander.
How To Apply Multisensory Learning in the Classroom
There are countless ways to bring multisensory learning to the classroom. Here are just a few to get started:
1. Get students moving: Get your students moving! Whether acting out a historical event or building a model, movement helps students learn by doing.
2. Use visuals and sounds together: Combine videos, images and sounds during lessons. For example, you could show a video about the solar system while playing space sounds or explaining the visuals out loud.
3. Engage taste and smell: While taste and smell might be more challenging to incorporate, it’s powerful when possible. For example, if you’re teaching about world cultures, you could have students taste foods from different countries.
4. Incorporate hands-on activities: Let students use their hands to interact with what they’re learning. For example, math students can use blocks or shapes to represent numbers or equations. It brings abstract concepts to life and helps reinforce the lessons through touch and sight.
5. Utilize augmented reality (AR): Augmented reality is an exciting technology trend in education that can add an exciting, interactive layer to lessons. For example, with our AR Sandbox, students can shape sand to see terrain changes in real time, engaging their sight, touch, and even hearing.
Let’s Bring Learning To Life
Multisensory instruction can genuinely change the way students learn. When they can see, touch, and even hear what they’re learning, it creates a deeper connection and helps the information stick. Whether through movement, hands-on activities, or even AR technology, there are many ways to make the classroom more engaging.
Reach out today to let us help you design a space that supports multisensory learning.