Modality Effect

The modality effect refers primarily to how information is presented to a student. Used in experimental psychology, the term is used most often in areas dealing with memory and learning. In teaching, modality is used to describe the different ways that material can be presented to a learner: verbally, visually, kinetically, etc. The most successful teachers are able to present material using all of these modalities in the attempt to connect with the student's optimum learning style, which differs from person to person.