Final answer:
True, a multimodal approach to learning that includes both visual and oral teaching methods can significantly improve recall and memory retention. This is supported by the levels of processing theory and the use of various sensory elements in memory reconstruction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The multimodal approach to learning, which includes both oral and visual elements, has been shown to enhance recall compared to a solely oral approach. This aligns with findings from Fergus Craik and Endel Tulving, who examined levels of processing for encoding verbal information into memory. Their experiments implied that semantic processing, which involves the meaning of words, leads to better recall. Furthermore, visual processing enhances the storage and retrieval of information, as visual and other sensory elements are stored in different parts of the brain. When we remember something, these components are reconstructed to formulate a complete memory, which creates opportunities for richer recall. As noted by Elizabeth Loftus, however, this process can also lead to false memories due to the introduction of misleading information post-event.
To support long-term memory retention, psychologists recommend elaborative rehearsal and the use of the self-reference effect. By making information personally meaningful and linking it to other knowledge, we create a web of retrieval cues that improve our ability to remember. Additionally, incorporating visuals in presentations can significantly aid in comprehension and memory retention for both those who hear the presentation and those who might experience visual limitations, by offering multiple pathways for processing the information presented.