Teaching to multiple intelligences
With such a variety of students that enter the classroom, teachers need methods that allow all students to learn as effectively as they can. Howard Gardner's theories on multiple intelligences will help teachers understand how students learn, modify and provide various methods of teaching, and develop a positive learning environment.
Each class should provide the students with several methods in which they are able to learn and participate. Provide the students with tactile, spatial, verbal, written, and logical activities to help them all succeed. Also, students can be grouped by their M.I. so they can really express themselves.
How do you know what intelligence a student is? There are several short tests available and you can have them do the test during their first class meeting - it can even be used as a get to know you activity.
Hi Paul,
You hit upon a "hot" interest of mine. I have had the honor of working with multiple intelligences for the past 25 years. I have been researching methods of identifiying MI and how knowing what a person's MI areas are will help you to communicate and work with that person. I have developed an MI assessment called "Talent Key" that is being used by corporate America and colleges throughout the US. I help these users to apply the information they have to the workplace and/or the classroom. The website for more information is www.micubed.com if you are interested at seeing what we have been researching. I have found higher student retention and better performance as a result of students' knowing their MIs and instructors being able to teach to them.
Would be glad to discuss this interest further with you should you be interested.
Gary
Further to Paul's point, I teach what amounts to a six-to-eight week technical certification course. I already teach through several methods, but does MI teaching theory hold up under these short-term conditions?
Hi Martin,
It does. MI is knowing how students process information and content. No matter how long or short a course might be, the student will process and feel comfortable in three of the MI areas. This is based upon my 20 some years of research in the area of using MI as a teaching method. Variety of instruction helps the students to use their preferences in acquiring and storing the new information of later use.
Gary
MI theory is not used for just creating inovative projects for the students, but can help you as an educator reach more students and to allow them to be more successful. The teory is helpful so the teacher can incorporate a several teaching strategies into a lesson which allow learners with a variety of intelligences engage in their education. Which mean, don't just use one method of engaging students. You may need to lecture, but you also need to do other types of activities; otherwise, only a small percentage of your students will learn. Utilize activities that require physical movements (have a student act like a robot only responding to instructions given by other students - this was for an intro to programming class); utilize activities that require drawing, such as having students draw and identify icons; utilize powerpoint presentations; or utilize music during lab time or seat work. Be creative. That's one of the many joys of teaching.
Hi Paul,
Thank you for the comments about MI. It has been a pleasure to work with identifying and using the different intelligences that people use to process information. Your last comment captures why teaching is fun, we get to be creative.
Good luck with using MI in your teaching strategy.
Gary
This is a relivent topic and if I recieved nothing else, this website will provide insight
Hi E,
Glad you like the information. I have used the identification of Multiple Intelligences with my students for many years. MI has been a research effort of mine for over 25 years so I see how beneficial knowing how people process information can be.
Good luck with using MI in your teaching.
Gary
This is very insightful information - thank you
Hi Paul,
I agree with this. This is one of the main reasons why I spend time knowing the population I have during the first day. because human beings learn in different ways and styles, especially adults. I will check on these short tests you mention. Thanks.
Yuraima
It can in your case. It also depends on how much information your students are required to learn in that amount of time.
This is my favorite post. I cannot agree more
Valuable, Thank you so much!
