A Multimodal Framework for Computer Mediated Learning: The Reshaping of Curriculum Knowledge and Learning

posture and position throughout the video clip (Transcript 4.1 image (a)). He is
represented sitting by the fire resting against a rock with his legs stretched out in front
of him, and leaning slightly toward the character Lennie. He looks steadily at and
maintains the same direction and focus of gaze throughout. On one occasion he
makes a soft rolling gesture with his hand. In contrast, the character Lennie is
represented as sitting leaning against a rock with his knees brought up under his
body. As the character Lennie starts to talk, he lunges forward, shifting the weight of
his body forward, and leans across the fire and prods George on the shoulder
(Transcript 4.1 image (b)). As he talks he moves his hands in a series of jerking
gestures, and shifts his gaze from George to the surrounding woods (Transcript 4.1
image (c- d)).

This re-presentation of the two characters’ body posture, movement, gesture, and
gaze serves to polarise them. The character George is represented as still, his gaze is
steady, and his posture relaxed (his body stretched out), physical qualities associated
with calmness and stability. His leaning in toward the character Lennie and his close
spatial distance serve to realise an intimate engagement with the character Lennie.
George’s soft rolling gesture is slow and gentle - a sign of control and ease. In
contrast the springing, lunging movement, gaze, and ‘prodding’ gestures of Lennie
represent him as unsettled, volatile, and unaware of danger (leaning across the fire).
The posture of Lennie, his legs pulled tight into his body, is a closed tight one and
signals the tension of the character. His jerky gestures are fast and forceful and
indicate both his strength, and his lack of control. The character George is depicted as
gazing at Lennie, a transactional reaction in which Lennie is the goal. In contrast
Lennie’s gaze at George is wavering and darts around towards the woods, his gaze is
unclear, and unfocused a multimodal sign of his lack of concentration. These
transformations of the characters serve to reinforce the qualities of the rational adult
character of George and the emotional child-like character of Lennie - who literally
‘can’t sit still’. This construction of the characters through actional modes shapes the
viewer’s relationship to the characters and understanding of their relationship.

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