Multimodally Deployed Modality by Lecturers in Addressing Students with Different Learning Styles

This study was focused on being multimodally deployed modality by the lecturers in addressing students with different learning styles in Medan. The objectives of the research were to analyse the systems of modalities used by the lectures in addressing different learning styles by verbal and nonverbal mode, to evaluate the manner of the systems of the modalities realized in addressing different learning styles, to investigate reasons underlying the use of systems of modalities. The data sources of this research were verbal and nonverbal modes obtained from the interactions of online teaching. The data were utterances, pictures, kinesics, and proxemics. The research design was qualitative research. The data were collected through recorded videos, observations, field notes, interviews, and questionnaire. The techniques of data analysis were applying interactive data analysis, includes data condensation, data display, and drawing and verification conclusion. The researcher applied credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability aspects to make the findings trusted. It was found that the lectures deployed particular verbal and nonverbal modes in addressing students with different learning styles. There were fifteen verbal modalities and twenty-seven nonverbal modalities revealed from virtual teaching interactions. The manner of systems of modalities were realized through the integration of verbal and verbal modalities in addressing visual, auditory and kinesthetics learners. The integrations were elaboration, extension and enhancement. The integrations of the modalities shaped twenty-two patterns system of virtual teaching. The reasons of using the modalities were persuasive, organizational function, social and cultural values. This study contributed to applied linguistics and contributed new theory about systems of modalities in virtual teaching corresponding to learning styles. Specific modes in online presentation make certain meanings because of pedagogic discourse characteristic that occurs on the computer screen and the positioning and personal and social distances of the site relative to the students and the teaching resources.