Multimodal Learning in an LMS: What is it and How Does it Work for an LMS?

What is Multimodal Learning?

Multimodal learning engages different learning modes – visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic (learning by doing) – to create more effective learning experiences.

Think of it as using the right tool for the right job: some concepts are best explained through videos, others through text, and many through hands-on practice.

The multimodal learning approach caters to different types of learners preferring different learning modes depending on the topic or situation.

How does Multimodal Learning Work in an LMS?

A SaaS LMS helps you deliver different learning formats, enabling multimodal learning for your customers. Let's explore each learning mode and how your LMS can support it:

1. Visual Learning

What it includes: Videos, infographics, and diagrams

Satisfies: Visual and auditory learning

Best used for:

• Complex processes that need step-by-step visualization
• Quick feature demonstrations
• Technical concepts that are easier to show than tell

Example: Trainn, a customer education platform, uses videos to deliver visual and auditory learning. The video below teaches customers to record a video for an LMS using Trainn.

2. Text-based Learning

What it includes: Articles and step-by-step documentation

Satisfies: Learning by reading

Best used for:

• Detailed technical documentation
• Process guidelines
• In-depth concept explanations

Example: Trainn, a customer education platform uses articles to promote learning by reading. The article educates its customers about the recent feature updates.

3. Interactive Learning

What it includes: Interactive guides, virtual instructor-led training (VILT), webinars, quizzes, and assessments.

Satisfies: Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic

Best used for:

• Hands-on process guidance
• Feature tutorials
• Live educatory sessions with product experts
• Provide certification and knowledge checks

Example: Trainn, a customer education platform, uses interactive guides to promote kinesthetic learning for product education. The interactive guide encourages customers to learn how to change the theme of guides by doing it step by step.

4. Social Learning

What it includes: Discussion forums, and a course or content-specific comment section

Satisfies: Reading/writing and visual

Best used for:

• Fostering a community
• Encourage peer-to-peer learning

Example: Trainn, a customer education platform, promotes social learning by encouraging learners to ask questions right where they are without switching platforms.

FAQs on Bite-sized Learning

1️⃣ What are the benefits of using multimodal learning?

• Higher engagement: Learners interacting with multimodal learning content are more likely to stay engaged throughout their learning journey.
• Caters to all users: Not everyone learns the same way - multimodal learning ensures you reach every type of learner.
• Practical application: Multimodal learning helps to bridge the gap between theory and practice – essential for SaaS tools.
• Better retention: Using multimodal learning helps to reinforce product learning and encourages users to retain with you.
• Measurable results: Tracking which learning modes work best helps you understand your customers’ preferences to provide personalized educational content.

2️⃣ What is the VARK learning model?

Multimodal learning uses the VARK learning model. It identifies four main ways people learn:

• Visual: Learning through images, diagrams, and visual demonstrations
• Auditory: Learning by listening and discussing
• Reading/Writing: Learning through written content
• Kinesthetic: Learning by doing and hands-on practice

A SaaS LMS helps you implement multimodal learning providing the necessary features to enable the VARK learning model.

3️⃣ What is the best LMS to provide multimodal learning?

Trainn is designed specifically for multimodal learning needs. The platform includes built-in content and course authoring tools for creating videos, articles, and interactive guides and presenting them in an LMS.

Trainn stands out by letting you easily mix different learning modes to create engaging learning experiences in your LMS.

Plus, our analytics help you understand which learning formats work best for your audience so that you can optimize your content strategy and maximize learner engagement and retention.