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The Edutopia Poll
by Laila Weir
What does it mean to be smart? Traditionally, the answer to that question was found on an IQ test -- not, say, on an athletic field or in a concert hall. But experience leads many teachers toward a broader conception of intelligence. They're drawn to the theory of multiple intelligences, developed by Harvard University professor Howard Gardner. The idea is that intelligence is not just one overarching quality, but instead comes in eight forms -- verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, musical, naturalistic, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. A person may be strong in one or more types of intelligence and weak in others. For many educators, this variation resonates with what they see in their classrooms, and it also suggests a path to reach all students by appealing to certain aptitudes. But even if various students are strong in different types of intelligence, can teachers really tap into all of them in the classroom?
Yes, I Use MI in my art toom
I just finished my online course on Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom through PBS Teacherline. For my final project I designed a Picasso Carnival in my art room for students to explore Picasso's work with their multiple intelligences. I wrote up the lesson for the Teaching Palette,
http://theteachingpalette.com/2009/03/16/picasso-carnival-using-multiple...
Connecting Depth and Balance in Class
I wrote and article about this subject called "Connecting Depth and Balance in Class" in ISTE's Leading and Learning with Technology last summer in vol. 36 no. 1, begins on p. 18. It has a lot of graphics so I could not put it here. In a nutshell, effective use of educational technology enables educators to meet the multiple intelligences and learning style needs of students in ways never dreamed of when these concepts were first developed.
Multiple Intelligences in a classroom
Can multiple intelligences be cultivated in one classroom? Of course, if a teacher has an atmosphere conducive to people interacting with each other in real situations, that is, everyone isn't doing the same thing at the same time. Whether elementary, middle, or high school, individual strengths can come to light for every student. Besides teaching just skills and sequences of important academic events, students should be engaging with each other in projects which naturally allows differentiation, which is conducive to multiple intelligences. In project or multi-peer situations, kids; selves can come forth - the teacher need not be so concerned about grading papers, but instead about observing the dynamics of the group as well as the growth of an individual. That's where teacher guidance comes in, an extra force to the combined social capital thriving in any classroom. But...aim for higher test scores, and drill, drill, drill and you will find on the slightest trace of those kids who happen to prefer that style of interaction. The others will likely appear below level because they never get a chance to shine, to show how they are smart.
Terry Smith - Eugene Field School - Hannibal, MO - Pepperdine EdTech Doctoral Candidate.
Multple Intelligences in the classroom.
I am a middle school teacher and I find with all grades that students love to get together in groups and do projects that includes lots of interaction. I do pick the students because I have found that if the students pick them they generally pick their friends.
All multiple intelligences can be used by you and the students without a problem if you make it a natural occurrence in your classroom. My students will comment and ask when are we going to do another project.
Each group enjoys showing what they can do without restraints.
Multiple Intelligences
Absolutely. Although at first the thought may be a bit daunting, it can be done. The students are made aware of their learning styles in the beginning of the year, and we discuss and update their perceptions as the year progresses. Allowing guided choice in the classroom gives the student an opportunity to make choices that will reflect his or her learning style. I make sure that my lessons meet all the intelligences, by using a simple checklist to determine whether I am too "heavy" in one area. Unfortunately, the linguistic and mathematical intelligences usually are the most dominant, but...I do persist in trying my best.
coordinating MI
As a college teacher committed to critical pedagogy, I try to address all intelligences in the classroom but I think it is critical as the teacher to be self reflexive about which ones you tend towards and develop the others. I think this way about learning styles also. This is a great challenge and yet I think it is the true creativity of teaching. Now as I have graduate students in my classroom telling me of the disconnects they experience with students who won't learn the way the book is written, I remind them about the first rule of communication = audience analysis. If we consider our audience first, then adapt, we will go further!