Multiple exposures – providing multiple opportunities to work with a particular text or genre in order to improve understanding, familiarity and memory.
A multiple-exposure strategy involves providing students with 2 or more opportunities to engage with a particular text, problem, author, idea, theme or genre. In its most basic form, teachers employing this strategy have students learn or study something more than once. For example, students learning about advertising could be exposed to dozens of ads each followed by a short class discussion or other practice activity. Alternatively, students may be exposed to the same ad multiple times – seeking new information with each viewing.
A multiple-exposure strategy can be used to study the same (or a similar) problem on several occasions in order to develop automaticity and process skills – students learn to unpick the problem word-by-word – something that they cannot do with a single exposure.
While this strategy may seem simple, many novice teachers (already stressed by an overloaded curriculum) frequently provide only a single exposure to students. However, a single exposure is not enough to commit new skills and knowledge to long-term memory, to develop transferable and metacognitive skills, and to develop a deep understanding of ideas, concepts, processes and themes.
A multiple-exposure strategy isn’t limited to the literacy or reading class. It is widely used and applied in almost every subject. For example, high school students often struggle with maths problems that are written in sentence format. A multiple-exposure strategy can be used to study the same (or a similar) problem on several occasions in order to develop automaticity and process skills – students learn to unpick the problem word-by-word – something that they cannot do with a single exposure.
Repeated reading is a common form of multiple exposure. This involves students reading the same passage from a text (usually a short story) 3 or 4 times – reading and comprehension improves with each exposure. In a foreign language classroom, students can be provided with dozens of examples of numbers from multiple sources: street signs, worksheets, comics, skits, simulations and games. The multiple-exposure strategy is often combined with a multi-modal strategy.
Multi-modal strategies – the use of more than one mode of communication (TV, radio, book, short story, email etc.) to learn about a common aspect such as a theme.
A multi-modal strategy involves exposing students to multiple texts and multiple text types. A text is any resource that carries a message. It includes traditional resources such as novels as well as non-traditional resources such as ads, police reports and blogs. For example, students who are learning about advertising may consider ads from TV, radio, magazine, newspaper, social media and email. They can also consider several examples of each media type (such as TV ads produced for different audiences and products). This strategy provides students with a wider and deeper understanding of each text type and the overarching theme (such as advertising) when compared to studying a single text (such as a novel) for a prolonged period. Because of this effect and the use of authentic real-world texts, multi-modal strategies are commonly associated with the teaching of critical literacy skills.
A multi-modal strategy involves exposing students to multiple texts and multiple text types. A text is any resource that carries a message.
Students studying an event, person, concept or location can learn about it from multiple sources.
Similar to the multiple-exposure strategy, multi-modal strategies work on the premise that multiple exposures are required for deep learning, making links, transferable skills, automaticity and commitment of knowledge and skills to long-term memory. Teachers implementing a multi-modal strategy expose students to multiple text types, multiple authors and creators, and multiple contexts:
Multi-modal strategies help students to develop important life skills such the ability to identify online scams. This is because students learn and apply critical literacy skills (such as considering the author’s purpose) to a range of texts. They can uncover patterns and techniques that apply to all text types. As students have multiple opportunities to practise analysing a myriad of texts, it is relatively easy to then apply these skills to an unfamiliar text type. These transferable skills are invaluable for students’ future schooling and careers.
Multi-modal strategies help students to develop important life skills such as the ability to identify online scams.
Adam Green is an advisor to government, a registered teacher, an instructional designer and a #1 best selling author. He is completing a Doctor of Education and was previously head of department for one of the country’s largest SAER (students at educational risk) schools. Adam is managing director of FTTA, an accredited training provider for thousands of teacher aides every year.
Source: Teaching Skills and Strategies for the Modern Classroom: 100+ research-based strategies for both novice and experienced practitioners. Amazon #1 best seller in the category of Classroom Management.
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to check his article for accuracy, information may be outdated, inaccurate or not relevant to you and your location/employer/contract. It is not intended as legal or professional advice. Users should seek expert advice such as by contacting the relevant education department, should make their own enquiries, and should not rely on any of the information provided.
The introductory teacher aide course for anyone seeking to work as a support worker.
LEARN MOREMaximise your job prospects and skills with the highest level teacher aide course.
LEARN MORETurbo charge your resume and save $1500 with our most popular teacher aide course.
LEARN MOREView resources and materials from our research-based, best practice teacher aide courses.
LEARN MORE1 in 2 study the CHC40213 Certificate IV in Education Support with FTTA.
Interest free plans from $40 - no hidden fees, includes all resources.
From $50 - courses subsidised by the Queensland government.
Live webinars, regular tutorials, phone and email support.
We visit every learner on placement to help improve your practice.
A 30-day no obligation period so you can be sure the course is for you.
Supported, self-paced distance mode or class from 1 day per week.
Learn industry best practice and research-based pedagogy.
An established provider with more than 5000 happy graduates.
With more than 5000 graduates, FTTA is the go-to provider for teacher's aide courses. 1 in 2 students choose to study the CHC40213 Certificate IV in Education Support with FTTA.
© 2019 | RTO 52215 | ABN 38 149 840 611 | TnCs | DD Request Agreement | Privacy Statement | Terms of Use | Sitemap
Head Office (WA): Unit 38, 12 Junction Bvd. COCKBURN CENTRAL WA 6164
Brisbane (Appointment only): S16, Level 18, 324 Queen St. Brisbane QLD 4000
Enquiries: 1300 858 191 | (08) 6555 2992 | info@ftta.com.au