INTEGRATING MULTIMODAL TEACHING STRATEGIES INTO STEM EDUCATION - Reflections from Pre-service and In-service Teacher Workshop Experiences

Oct 15, 2026

The article examines how multimodal teaching strategies can meet the diverse needs of STEM learners by combining visual, kinesthetic, and auditory learning modes. Training activities were delivered to 34 in-service teachers in India and 56 pre-service teachers in Malaysia. Using feedback forms, session presentations, and semi-structured interviews, the study finds increased engagement, deeper understanding of STEM concepts, and improved attitudes toward creative and collaborative instruction. Role-play and hands-on modeling were especially valued, supporting a shift to student-centered STEM pedagogy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

STEM Education

Learning Styles

Multimodal Teaching and Learning

Proceedings of the 6th International Baltic Symposium on Science and Technology Education, BalticSTE2025 71 INTEGRATING MULTIMODAL TEACHING STRATEGIES INTO STEM EDUCATION: REFLECTIONS FROM PRE-SERVICE AND IN-SERVICE TEACHER WORKSHOP EXPERIENCES Narendra D. Deshmukh Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, TIFR, India E-mail: [nddeshmukh1965@gmail.com](nddeshmukh1965@gmail.com) Sandhya A. Thakur Ret. S K Somaya Vinay Mandir Junior College, India E-mail: [sandhyajit@gmail.com](sandhyajit@gmail.com) Abstract The growing emphasis on STEM education and the diverse needs of learners necessitate the adoption of innovative, inclusive teaching strategies. This study investigates the impact of multimodal teaching strategies–integrating visual, kinesthetic, and auditory modes—on inservice and pre-service teachers. Training sessions were conducted with 34 in-service teachers in India and 56 pre-service teachers in Malaysia. The sessions aimed to promote learner-centered practices, enhance instructional confidence, and support inclusive STEM pedagogy. Data were gathered using feedback forms, session presentations, and semi-structured interviews. Content analysis revealed that both groups experienced increased engagement, a deeper understanding of STEM concepts, and a positive shift in attitudes toward creative and collaborative teaching. Strategies such as role-play and play dough modeling were particularly well-received, enabling the transition from teacher-centered to student-centered instruction. These findings highlight the potential of multimodal approaches to enrich teacher education and professional development programs,fostering creativity, inclusivity, and effective communication in 21st-century classrooms. Keywords: multimodal teaching strategies, in-service teachers, pre-service teachers, STEM education, teacher training, hands-on learning Introduction Effective professional development for both pre-service and in-service teachers is a cornerstone of contemporary efforts to enhance STEM education. Globally, policymakers recognize that the quality of schooling is closely linked to the capabilities of teachers and administrators within the system. Professional development programs focused on STEM education are systematic initiatives aimed at transforming teachers’classroom practices, reshaping their attitudes and beliefs, and ultimately improving student learning outcomes (Joseph & Uzondu, 2024) . Central to this effort is the recognition of multimodal teaching–a pedagogical approach that integrates diverse modes of communication and learning, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic strategies–to | | [https://doi.org/10.33225/BalticSTE/2025.71](https://doi.org/10.33225/BalticSTE/2025.71) | | --- | --- | | | | | | | This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License Proceedings of the 6th International Baltic Symposium on Science and Technology Education, BalticSTE2025 72 engage students in multiple ways (NRC, 2013; NEP 2020) . As Mayes and Rittschof (2021) observe, STEM education increasingly promotes interdisciplinary methods that enhance learning experiences. STEM Education STEM education emphasizes the integrated teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics to cultivate critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills among learners. This interdisciplinary approach prepares students to tackle real-world challenges through practical, hands-on experiences (Sheth & Pathak, 2023) . By encouraging creativity and teamwork, STEM fosters competencies essential for innovation and leadership in today’s technology-driven world (Yuliardi & Dahlan, 2023) . Learning Styles Learning styles refer to the varied ways individuals perceive, process, and retain information. Emerging from psychological research in the 1960sand 1970s (Curry, 1987), these styles are explained through models highlighting cognitive preference

FAQs

What multimodal teaching strategies are examined in this study?

The study focuses on strategies that integrate visual, kinesthetic, and auditory modes to support STEM instruction and learner engagement.

Who participated in the teacher workshop training sessions?

Training was conducted with 34 in-service teachers in India and 56 pre-service teachers in Malaysia.

How were the workshop outcomes evaluated?

Data were collected using feedback forms, session presentations, and semi-structured interviews, followed by content analysis of responses.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Maya Linwood