Jennie Sjursen 00:00
I've done my homework and I know my child needs a multi sensory instructional approach. The problem is, there's no one in my area who does this. Can my child really get multi sensory instruction through an online service provider?
Jennie Sjursen 00:15
I'm Jennie Sjursen. X special educator turned dyslexia interventionist. And wasn't so long ago that I too, was overwhelmed by balanced literacy versus structured literacy, education speak, and everything in between. Fast forward after many, many hours of self driven education. And you'll see I've built a thriving dyslexia practice helping students from ages six to 18. My specialties, working with a quote unquote difficult almost always to the student, and breaking down the complexities of dyslexic to everyday language strategies and action steps.
Jennie Sjursen 00:55
There this is a topic that comes up frequently in online groups and chats. And admittedly when I was going through my first training, the associate level training through the Orton Gillingham Academy, I could not wrap my brain around how multi sensory instruction could happen anywhere but in person. Ironic, I know as my practice is now 100% online, but at that time, I only understood what multi sensory instruction meant at a surface level.
Jennie Sjursen 01:24
So what is multi sensory instruction? And can it be done online? Those of you who have followed me for a while No, I did an episode last year on this episode 16 multi sensory instruction, what is it, but for those of you who are newer listeners, let me give you a brief breakdown. In its purest form, multi sensory instruction simultaneously ties in the Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic senses. It's also known as VA K or vi que te fact, during multi sensory instruction, a student is using all the pathways in the brain at the same time. They see hear through vocalisation and write a letter, word or phrase as they learn to read. They're using their eyes, their ears, their voice and their bodies throughout a drill or task. Each sense influences and supports the other.
Jennie Sjursen 02:20
Traditionally, when people think of multi sensory instruction, the first thing that comes to mind is kids writing in a sand tray or forming letters out of Play Doh. Doesn't sound very conducive to an online setting does it? But if we go back to what multi sensory is at its core, visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile, it's entirely possible. So some of the ways this can be done are through the use of digital letter tiles, interactive online games, skywriting, and the use of digital drawing tools. And don't forget typing, typing can be very multi sensory.
Jennie Sjursen 02:56
So for example, during the auditory drill and an OG session, the instructor provides the student with a sound, the student repeats the sound, and then all of the learn letters or letter patterns while simultaneously writing or typing them. All the components of fact are used repeating the sound auditory typing or writing all the letter patterns is visual, kinesthetic, and tactile. I use typing writing on paper and writing on a digital whiteboard with my students. writing and writing in cursive is known to activate the brain at a deeper level than typing but I have some students who struggle with the physical act of writing. By allowing them to type I've kept all the pieces of VA que te intact during our sessions.
Jennie Sjursen 03:44
Let's look at another example. Sorting is an in person multi sensory task that is often used for reviewing and solidifying a concept. Let's take the graphemes Ay ay ay ay y. Both are vowel team spellings for long a, but they're used differently. Ai can't be used at the end of a word, but a Y can. To help a child recognise the pattern differences in usage. We may give them a stack of cards with AI and AI words on them. We'll ask them to read the word on the card and then put the cards into one of two piles, a pile for AI and a pile for a y. This same task can be done online. I often use a programme called word wall to quickly create word sorting games. But sometimes I just use a stack of digital sticky notes on a digital whiteboard. My student is still reading the words in isolation, visual and auditory and kinesthetically sorting them clicking and dragging with the mouse. The principles of that are still in use.
Jennie Sjursen 04:48
Does multi sensory look different online? It can. Can you provide multi sensory instruction online with fidelity? You absolutely can
Jennie Sjursen 05:00
If you have any further questions about multi sensory instruction or online services, please feel free to sneak into my inbox. I'd also love your input. What would you like to hear from me in the future? Is there a topic I haven't covered yet? You really want to learn more about or do you have a pressing need and you're really not sure how to handle it or move forward. Send me a DM on Instagram or drop me an email at Jennie at literacy untangled.com That’s Jennie at literacy untangle.com I can't wait to hear from you. Until next time, bye bye. I hope you enjoyed this episode of literacy untangled if you love this episode as much as I did, head on over and rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you want to continue the conversation or share your takeaways, head on over to our Instagram at literacy untangled and comment on your favourite part. I can't wait to hang out with you again soon. Bye
