The term multimodal in simple, is an approach where more than one mode is used for communicating and learning. In traditional setting, the teaching-learning processs depended only in language- what the teacher says/how students reply or depended on what's written in textbooks. However, researcher's later realized that communication in classroom takes place in many ways- through speech, gesture, writing, images. All these build up a new innovative approach in the field of education where usage of more than one mode is done. These different forms are actually helpful in student's communication.

Learning is not only about reading or writing rather it involves visuals, images, gestures, actions, text, hearing. So, learning happens through all modes and it must not depend only on language or text. So, I would like to mention about Visual learning as Multimodal:

Visual learning is a multimodal approach in the field of education. It is the assimilation of information from visual formats. Acquisition of knowledge is quick when students are exposed to visual learning. Also, informations are easily captivated by students through visual learning. Visual learning involves different formats-pictures, maps, poster, flowcharts, diagrams, video simulation, graphs, text, cartoons, ppt for displaying information. Students acquire knowledge through the help of visual formats and when combined to other modes like- sound, text, graphics, it becomes multimodal.

Example:

3-D is an example of visual learning where students can learn and get quick understanding when combined multimodal learning-sound, text, graphics.

2-D Turtle game.

References:

Bourguet, M.L. (2006). An Overview of Multimodal Interaction Techniques and Applications. Encyclopedia of Human Computer Interaction.http://DOI: 10.4018/987-1-59140-562-7. ch068

Raiyn,J. (2016). The Role of Visual Learning in Improving Studets' High-Order Thinking Skills. Journal of Education And Practice 7(24)