Week 9 Multiple Intelligences

           I can't believe we are almost at the end of our course study and I am already missing it, our discussions, Deborah's instructions and assessments, our exchange of ideas and simply making friends.

          This week we sent our projects and are waiting for our students to implement our new knowledge. We also read, learned and discussed learning styles and multiple intelligences. 

          Educators must continue to investigate how students learn. Teachers need to use technology in the classroom to reach and support our varied student population and use their distinctive learning styles and strengths to make learning more memorable to each individual student. When teachers incorporate both the theory of multiple intelligences and technology, students find their classroom experiences stimulating and motivating.

            Many educators know that different students learn in many different ways. Gardner says that people acquire knowledge in different ways and that they have competencies in each of the nine intelligences (Gardner, 2006). The list of multiple intelligences, suggested by Gardner is: - Logical-mathematical, which deals with numbers and logic;

 - Verbal/Linguistic, which deals mainly with words; - Bodily-kinesthetic, which deals with body movements and the handling of objects; - Musical, which deals with rhythms and melodies; - Visual/Spatial, which deals with pictures and images; - Interpersonal, which deals with understanding other people and working with them; - Intrapersonal, which deals with the inner self and one's feelings; - Naturalist, which deals with classification and understanding phenomena of nature; - Existentialist or Spiritual, which deals with the big questions of life and harmonizing. Gardner further explains the multiple intelligences, and how each of us has varying amounts of each of these intelligences. “Even as all humans possess and exhibit these multiple intelligences, the intelligences also serve to distinguish from one another. Individuals possess varying amounts of these intelligences and combine and use them in personal ways. Just as we all look different and exhibit different personalities, we all possess different kinds of minds”, (Gardner, 1991, p.81). It would be interesting to first ask students to state what intelligence they think is their strongest then give them an intelligence survey to assess students' strong and weaker intelligences, to see if they were correct about their strongest intelligence. 

            On the other hand Gardner points out,” Technology can often appeal to many students but the content can be too rich or too cluttered for many students with attention difficulties so that these learners can not focus on what is truly central to the concept under investigation”, (Gardner,2000,p.208). This is where the human aspect of teaching is needed, teachers need to continually monitor there students progress while they are using technology.

       Our world has become technologically advanced, and our classrooms are progressively following the same advancements. The teacher should remain the primary instructor, but new technology and resources are changing how teaching and learning occurs. Can technology really help students learn, and does it meet the needs of varied student learning styles and multiple intelligences? It is my belief that if teachers implement both the theory of multiple intelligences and technology, and not just use computers for drill and practice exercises; students will find their classroom experiences stimulating and motivating. When teachers incorporate technology in the classroom it taps into all kinds for the students multiple intelligences.

We should consider ways that technology can help all students learn. The computer can help students develop individual skills, allowing for differences in learning styles and abilities. Here are the explanations of the multiple intelligences and some technology based activities lessons that I plan on using in the classroom to build on my student's intelligences:

             Instructional strategies that work for Linguistic learners must focus on self-expression. Since linguistic learners are very comfortable speaking, I would have them give presentations on their learning in a form of projects.  These students would benefit from using word processing programs, because these programs can help teach language, writing, editing, and rewriting skills. Students with a strong linguistic intelligence would enjoy a project such as a class poem because Linguistic learners would embrace this learning opportunity because they can use their verbal skills to express an abstract concept.

            For the Logical-mathematical learner I would encourage them to use databases and spreadsheets in their projects and presentations. Since these programs would allow these students to calculate and organize data. Logical learners also excel at inquiry-based projects. These students would enjoy being presented with a problem and then given resources to solve it. A definitive answer is what these learners seek. There are a variety of computer programs that teach logic and critical thinking skills, even in game formats which can be motivating to students. Database programs can help students explore and organize data and information.

            Interpersonal learners interact well with society and can be labeled in as the talkers. Students would enjoy working with others on the computer; in groups of two to four would be ideal group sizes. Allowing the students to work in groups reinforces skills such as cooperation and communication. The computer can encourage cooperative learning in any subject area. Interpersonal learners are exceptionally aware of the feelings and motives of others around them and are also especially good at starting discussions and encouraging participation from other classmates. They enjoy creating products that allow them to express themselves to an audience. Presentations, e-mail projects, and videoconferencing inspire these students. These learners are more focused on people and their opinions. I could use a simple statistics lesson to tap into these learners strengths. A group of interpersonal learners can use numerous on-line survey tools to create a test for other students. This lesson could focus on their communication and creative strengths because the topic can be whatever they like. Once the other students have taken the survey, the group can create a visual representation of the results.

            Intrapersonal learners are characterized as self-motivated and learn through metacognitive processes. For these learners I would use computer based journaling, concept mapping, and Internet. Another idea I could use in the classrooms is to have the students create blogs about topics of their interests since they allow students to express their thoughts and feelings in a different way. Students still create a self-reflective piece in a generally self-paced environment; however, it can then be successfully shared with others. A blog provides a channel for students to share their work and might lead them to participate in a writing contest.

            Spatial learners would benefit from making digital and video-camera projects. Computer-aided design and paint programs can also maximize student's potential. Graphics programs can help develop spatial perceptions and help develop creativity by allowing students to create their own designs. Browsing the Internet and organizing files, folders, and directories on a computer involve some spatial understanding. 

            For the Musical learners I would allow them to express themselves and learn through auditory means.  Musical learners would benefit from interactive books, video and audio recordings, and audio notations. These learners adapt well to cross-curricular projects that can incorporate music. A good technology to use with musical learners is a software program that synthesizes music into waves. These students benefit greatly by using their musical talents to break down and rebuild melodies.

            For the Bodily-Kinesthetic learners I would encourage them to express their ideas through movement. They would benefit greatly from creating video productions and virtual field trips since they would be able to move about while filming their presentation. These students do well while using a computer because computers require good eye-hand coordination. These students could benefit from joystick and other devices different from just using a mouse to control computer operations. They need to manipulate their surroundings to achieve their maximum potential.

            For the Naturalistic learners, I would encourage students to use cameras for create imagines in their presentations. They could use the cameras and video recorders to present a report about nature. They could do a presentation about the changes that occur during different seasons.

            For the Existentialist learner I would use problem-solving projects like why recycling is good for the environment or what students can do to help their community because these learners are focused on the big picture and why the world operates the way it does. Or I could have them report on how technologies have improved peoples lives because the nature of technology is existential. The use of technology continues to evolve how we look at ourselves. These students can research how Internet collaboration is changing the world around them.

            These are only few examples of how I could use technology in my classroom to tap into students multiple intelligences. The possibilities are endless since technology advancements continue to grow and more people are sharing their learning on the Internet daily.

         This video is for Visual and Musical learners:

 

References:

Tech tools that support multiple intelligences: http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic68.htm

Richard Felder explores the impact of different learning styles on classroom performance: http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSdir/styles.htm

Learning styles assessment chart   http://www.chaminade.org/INSPIRE/learnstl.htm
More on learning styles from Richard Felder http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/Learning_Styles.html
Using learning styles to adapt technology for higher education :  http://iod.unh.edu/EE/articles/learning-styles.html
Student Learning Styles and Their Implications for Teaching http://www.crlt.umich.edu/publinks/CRLT_no10.pdf
 Sailing the 5 C's with Learning Strategies:  http://www.nclrc.org/sailing/