It is very common for people to assume that a slow person is mentally challenged. For a teacher, it is important to always give the benefit of the doubt by understanding that the student is capable of learning the material, we just have to find a way to reach them. If a teacher does not understand the concept of multiple intelligences, he/she will probably easily give up on the student and assume that the student cannot retain the information. I personally have been surprised on a few occasions, I have had very intelligent students come through my class, but act otherwise. For some, it is an act to see how I react, for others, it is not. So now, I make it a point to get to know my students and assest their interest and learning styles.
Hi Heidi,
I wish you much success in your new approach to incorporating the different delivery techniques with your classes. I know your students are going to benefit greatly and you are going to enjoy see their success.
Gary
I have always used the idea of multiple intelligences in my course content. However, it was still a very generalized way of incorporating the different learning styles. I think I am now going to take a more individual approach to each class and get a better grasp of the uniquessness and tailor make course content.
I have always used the idea of multiple intelligences in my course content. However, it was still a very generalized way of incorporating the different learning styles. I think I am now going to take a more individual approach to each class and get a better grasp of the uniquessness and tailor make course content.
Hi Clarence,
Good to hear about how you will be able to use the information from these modules. This is what professional development is all about. We need to continue being learners all the days of our lives.
Gary
Understanding the types of multiple intelligences and being able to identify them would allow you to plan your classes or instructional delivery according to your classes needs
I wish I had some of this information years ago. I can see where it may have helped dealing with students that I did not seem to connect with. Using this with other information will be helpful.
Multiple intelligences are very important to understand how diverse the learners are that we teach, and that all of us have different strengths and weaknesses. Many people assume that someone that has a strength in the mathmatical/logical field are smarter than the rest or has a certain advantage. However, as we learned, the lack of soft skills is the most common reason for job loss. Having interpersonal skills can also be regarded as a major asset for someone to have.
Many of us have come across the students that can ace everything but lack the ability to get along with the people around them.
Hi Troy,
I like your last sentence in relation to the good points you have made. It is important not to fall into a rut and not offer any variety in your instructional delivery. This is not good for the students nor for yourself as a professional. Keep changing things up and I wish you much success in your teaching.
Gary
It reinforces the concept that all of us learn at different speeds and we each have different preferences on what method works for us. I would continue to mix things up in
class so that I don’t fall into the trap of one type of teaching method.
I would keep an eye out on body language and progress because I may not be teaching to their preference. Talk with them to see how they are doing. At times trying a different method to see if it works out better. Most important is not to fall in to a mode of not changing things up.
I agree with you for some students letter grade is very important and not the actual learning. I am trying my best to emphasize that applied aspect of it is for life long.
The teaching methodology should not be same throughout. It is basic, when there is need in the beginning. Later on our strategy would be to focus on advanced (content and intellectual processing).
Using different methods to convey the same information helps students learn more effectively--combinming lectuire, hands on, geroup work, visuals and some writing should allow all students to use the learnibng method that works best for them.
Hi Curt,
I am like you in that I don't understand why more educational institutions don't use the methodology to capitalize on the multiple intelligences of students.
By knowing about these intelligences and using them in the learning process everyone is gong to benefit. Keep up the good work you are doing in promoting variety within your classroom.
Gary
By understanding multiple intelligences, one can better prepare the method of delivery for classes in order to receive the best opportunity for student responses. Everybody learns differently, and if you can identify the dominant learning styles of your students, the material will be much better received.
I have read Gardner's book on Multiple Intelligences and find it remarkable that today's educational institutions do not use this methodology as a basis for education.
I ensure that I utilize a variety of delivery methods that include: powerpoint presentations, handouts, acronymn sheets, video, small group efforts, and problem solving practical exercises that require the teams to move about, discuss options, pull subject matter expertise from one or more students, then develop a cogent plan of action. It's very rewarding to see the process take place!
Hi Jack,
Having been researching MI for over 20 years I have developed a solid foundation for how the intelligences can be assessed and identified. The assessment is called Talent Key. Once the assessment is done we then share with each student their three most focused intelligence areas. From their schools develop their learning strategies for their students based upon the results of the assessments. In addition, we a been looking at the past 25,000 assessments for common threads of success and potential risk of non-completion. We have found that we are able to show the schools those students that have the highest potential for dropping out of school. Thus, the school can provide support to keep them from leaving.
I am excited about what your college is doing with the interpersonal and intrapersonal as well. I would welcome the opportunity to talk with you further about multiple intelligences.
Thanks.
Gary
I think that being aware is key. Knowing that students absorb information in so many different ways is important. We as educators need to offer multiple delivery methods each day. At the school I work at we lecture on and demonstrate the techniques, and then the students reproduce the demo immediately after seeing it. This way ensures that everyone will learn the information in their own way.
Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory provides a framework for instructors to develop and reflect upon their curriculum and content delivery. Although, Gardner provides no clear direction as to how each intelligence can be addressed in a classroom, his theory validates what teachers have known all along – students process and learn information in a number of ways. My school, for example, has placed a great importance on interpersonal and intrapersonal student development. Although still in its infancy, we are seeing positive initial results.
Hi Kathy,
This approach is going engage more students and increase their retention. The more examples you can use the relevancy they are going to see while using their different intelligence categories to internalize the content.
Gary
My greatest challenge has been to teach math courses at a career education school to students who come into the class stating, "I hate Math". If I use the online assessments recommended in this module, I will be able to understand the multiple intelligences and the learning preferences of my students. I will then be able to tailor the math course to the students learning preferences. For example, since most of the design students may be visual learners, I can prepare a graphic representation of a math problem and its solution. This may facilitate the learning process for those individuals.
