Unlike traditional learning, multi-sensory learning entails the use of several senses at once when learning. Since all five senses process information in a different way, an individual’s brain coordinates the input from the distinct senses to learn about the environment. The use of more than one sense in a lesson assists the learner to remember the taught information taught. This article looks at ten key differences between traditional learning and multi-sensory learning.

Engaged Senses

The main difference between traditional learning and multi-sensory learning is that multi-sensory learning engages more senses at once compared to traditional learning. In most lessons, multi-sensory learning incorporates movement, touch, visual, and hearing all at once to assist students learn how to read and write much faster. On the other hand, traditional learning only engages hearing and visual senses.

Method of Collecting Information

The traditional learning method entails students collecting information from their teacher by seeing and hearing. On the other hand, multi-sensory learning helps students collect information from their lecturer through other ways such as smelling, tasting, and touching.

Learning Activities

The traditional mode of learning usually entails the teacher standing in front of students and giving a lecture. During this time, the lecturer can provide notes to the students or show the practical on the board using a projector. In contrast to this, multi-sensory learning helps students learn using a variety of their senses. Some multi-sensory learning activities include creating clay letters, magnetic letters, and sand paper words.

Teaching Materials Used

Traditional learning uses simple materials such as pens, books, and boards. This kind of teaching methods does not require the use of other special materials. In contrast, multi-sensory learning uses materials meant to make the learning process smooth for the student. All materials implemented are inspired and tested to help improve the learning process.

The Best Beneficiary

Every person can benefit from both traditional and multi-sensory learning. However, multi-sensory learning is better for those students that seem to have a problem with processing information. The reason behind this is that it engages many senses, making it easier for the student to stay attentive and understand the lesson.

Effectiveness

Most learners using the traditional method are not able to utilize their full learning potential. The reason behind this is that traditional learning does not allow people to learn in their own unique ways. This should not be the case because individuals are gifted differently and thus one traditional mode of learning may be ineffective, leading to inadequacy and self-doubt. On the other hand, multi-sensory learning appreciates that people have their own ways of learning. Therefore, it encourages students to learn and understand things through a more effective approach.

Attention Span

Although there are many factors that affect a learner’s attention span, multi-sensory learning has showed to be more engaging, which improves the learner’s attention span. Students thus show more concentration when being taught through multi-sensory learning and not traditional learning.

Flexibility

Traditionally learning is quite rigid, and the learner has to follow exactly what the lecturer suggests. However, multi-sensory learning is like a creative journey, where students are allowed to discover their strengths and weaknesses in learning.

Memory

All learning methods are good because they help improve the learner’s memory and ability to remember lessons. However, traditional learning is not very engaging. Due to this, the learner might easily forget the things taught. On the other hand, multi-sensory learning helps learners remember more due to the implementation of numerous senses during the learning process.

Ability to Connect Information

Multi-sensory learners are able to connect learnt information with what they already know quite easily. This is not the case with traditional learners, who may not easily comprehend the information being taught by the lecturer.

Multi-sensory learning entails helping an individual learn using more than one sense. In contrast to this, traditional learning only uses sight or hearing. Although traditional learning is very common, it is not as effective. The reasoning behind this is that the learner’s visual ability may be affected by visual processing and tracking issues. This means that the student’s ability to read information on the board, or look at pictures and text will be affected. Hearing is another sense that may not be working accordingly. The best solution for these issues is multi-sensory learning, which involves more senses like touch and movement. This boosts the students’ concentration and focus, allowing them to learn more.