Multimodal Interaction and Personalised Learning

Multimodality can enrich the learning process, make some tasks easier and information accessible for us all while it helps people with different learning styles, special needs, learning difficulties and disabilities. In many cases digital technology can make things possible that were previously impossible. Thus, multimodality is the extension of digital technology into new modalities of interaction that make new possibilities viable. Come and share your experiences and ideas around multimodality and learning.

Legal and human rights will set the scene at this table for multimodality and accessibility. Educational equity does not sufficiently materialise for those with learning difficulties and different abilities. In addition to individuals with special needs, a growing number of young people are reluctant to read and write long texts, stories or books. Which way could we increase equality, motivation and access for learning with digital literacy and with multimodality for those who struggle with texts?

Shall we see the current cultural, technological and social changes shaking traditional position of reading and writing skills as the corner stones of our western society? What kind of signs are present already today? Could we address some learning difficulties, foster educational equity and prepare a new kind of citizenship by making our society and information more accessible by widening traditional ways of understanding, creating and sharing information, creating new knowledge and setting frames for working life with multimodality, multimodal interaction and digital literacy? As the digital revolution shakes society and its structures in many ways, could it also have positive side-effects as increasing accessibility for society?

In this OEB Roundtable, Multimodality and Learning, we'll hopefully learn how the use of multimodality and multimodal interaction is being met internationally. What kinds of multimodal solutions have been developed for accessibility for various stages of the learning process and for the transition period from upper secondary education to higher education or to the labour market? It will be great to hear what you have found in this area all around the world!

Moderator

Merja Saarela

Principal Lecturer, Research Group Leader in Multisensory and Assistive Technology (MATEC), Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK), Finland

Dr. Saarela has worked at Häme University of Applied Sciences as a Principal Lecturer for more than 17 years. She is currently a Research Group Leader in Multisensory and Assistive Technology that promotes learning, working, and working capability. Currently her particular areas of interest concern multimodal interaction and how use of other senses than the visual can be used in applications and services. Dr. Saarela is specialized in social­-neurocognitive learning difficulties (especially learning difficulties caused by developmental disabilities, dementia, sensory deficits), interaction, learning and knowledge assessment and education evaluation. In addition, Dr. Saarela has broad experience in developing innovative learning methods and innovation education. She is also specialized in user­-centered wellbeing and education technology, assistive technology, gaming, action and interaction platforms.

 

Links

http://www3.hamk.fi/hyvinvointi/yhteyst…