REFLECTIONS ON MULTIMODALITY

Being literate in this age requires an educator to being adept in using technological 

devices and digital communication practices. However, does this mean teachers can now abandon traditional forms and modes of instruction? I doubt that as our schools are pretty much non-compatible to such advanced facilities. In my read-ups, I came across Jewitt (2008) who talks about ‘modal affordance’ which he says is queries on how a mode is used, what it has been used to do, and the conventions that inform its use. More often than not, teachers use such a mode to diversify instruction without real thought on its effectiveness as a learning tool. After doing some extended reading and online browsing, I see that multimodality comes with the 21^st century learning, bringing with it variety in pedagogical approaches, techniques, strategies, and pedagogical tools; concepts such as multiliteracies, 

diversification, authenticity, and connection-making.

However, I do need to caution myself and the teachers I coach that however advanced the 
modal they use in classrooms, children are still in need of the teacher. Making sense and meaning of learning has to be supported, facilitated and extended with the human touch that only the teacher and parent can provide. On the other hand, there are still a few teachers who are digital-phobic and refuse to part with the chalk and talk method. I believe these teachers are quickly losing relevance (some may have lost that already) in the system and with their students. A teacher has to compete with social networking sites, blogs, and whatever else is accessible online and on mobile phones to stay relevant. Teachers, no matter what age, must strive to stay ahead of their students and if technology is moving ahead too fast to catch up with, become humble enough to learn from the young ones.