Cognition is how information is processed and manipulated when remembering, thinking, and knowing. Intelligence is the ability to solve problems and adapt/learn from experiences. Understanding multiple intelligence aids in understanding how learners process new information and experiences. Instructors should be observant of the learning preferences and intelligences displayed by the learners, which will aid in working with the strengths of the students. Adapting instructional delivery and using a variety of teaching methods will appeal to a mix of learning preferences and intelligences - resulting in more effective and efficient instruction.
Hi Rene,
Good point. This is what I can "connecting the dots". The students can see the connection between the printed and/or lecture material when it is supported in a visual manners. This helps them to achieve the "ah-ha" moment needed to acquire the concept.
Gary
Hi Andrew,
Right you are. With the strategy you outline you are playing to the strengths of the students and helping them develop the confidence needed to be successful.
Gary
In teaching design students I find that most of my students are visual learners. This is such an important lesson when teaching lecture courses. If you are discussing a topic without supplementary images and diagrams students have a difficult time relating to the subject at hand.
In the studio courses I teach, multiple intelligences are utilized by the combination of lecture, field study, activities, etc. It is important to integrate that same idea to lecture courses too, so that you can play to student's different learning preferences.
We have a lot of kinetic learners, and allowing them to draw and move around so they aren't sitting still helps them concentrate.
Hi Joelle,
Thank you for your comments about the different methods of using different intelligences in the learning process. After all these years and research we still know very little about the brain so as we explore different learning methods it helps to keep us interested as teachers and using our creativity to be better at what we do. This is what makes teaching so much fun.
Gary
People are intelligent in different ways; by recognizing and building on your students’ strengths, you can help them develop the tools they need to succeed. Teaching concepts, such as Neuro Linguistic Programming, Suggestopedia, Brain Friendly, Mind Mapping and more, is that effective long term learning is facilitated when the whole brain is involved. In traditional learning methods, we tend to focus on the use of the left brain only, i.e. charts, logic, mathematical forumulas etc. It is not only right and left hemisphere learning is requried, but also other areas such as the reflex brain, the limbic brain and the "new" brain.
Hi Alan,
Good to hear about your interest in learning more about multiple intelligences. I find the area fascinating as well. The longer I am in education the more I realize how little we know in relation to how people learn and this is after all the research that has been done. Humans are complex units to say the least. This is what for me makes teaching so much fun and for sure I am never bored.
Gary
Keeping multiple intelligences in mind, I might adapt my teaching of specific topics to use an approach that plays to the strength of the characteristics of the different intelligences. Mixing a few of the characteristics of the other intelligences may help keep the student engaged, but focus on the primary characteristics will help the student learn. I could use my knowledge of the how the student learns to provide enough processing points so the whole class feels like I am teaching each student individually.
The study of multiple intelligence is quite fascinating. I often use the technique of 'pruning' to solve a creative problem as an efficient use of class time. In regards to learning preferences, my teaching methods are often based on both Auditory and Kinesthetic strategies. Probably because I find those to be the best way to learn myself.
I have learned to integrate written and spoken word, and learning by doing into my daily lessons so each students needs (hopefully) are met. Fortunately, the structure of my class makes that relatively easy. We start off reading the formula aloud together, I demonstrate how it is done, then students do it themselves.
Understanding multiple intelligences will help me understand how students learn. I will be able to have multiple ways to show students how to do different tasks.
Hi Bill,
Multiple intelligence is how a person internalizes new information, so a person that is strong in spatial would be at ease in the mathmatical and scientific as would musical and math/logic individuals. The key is to know how they process information and then help them to follow the procedures that are required by the field of forensics.
Gary
Hi Erin,
Having worked with ADHD and ADD students for a number of years that information you were given is dead on. This is why it is important to keep the class flowing and have a variety of activities planned for these learners.
For the general student populations it is good to know their multiple intelligences and learning preferences so you can provide support as needed. For some it is silence others, background music helps them to focus on the tasks at hand just as it does for you. Good advice, thanks for sharing it with us.
Gary
Hi Freddie,
Great to hear. I know you are going to be able to plan even more effectively your instructional delivery as a result of having this kind of information about your students.
Gary
Hi Don,
What are some of the strategies that you use to zero in on the intelligences of your students and to engaged them in the learning process.
Gary
Hi B.A.,
I would imagine that you get some very exciting design projects from your students. When high spatial, and verbal/linguistic students work on creative projects as you know they can come up with some amazing things. With the planning your are doing to focus on those intelligences you are creating an excellent avenue for continued student growth. Well done.
Gary
In our mathmatical and scientific world of Forensics there is not a lot of room for multiple intelligences since by definintion a logiical thinking pattern must develop that processes on a boolean flow
In my first year of teaching (which was at a high school) I became very close with the director of Special Education. I remember, word for word, a conversation where he explained that sometimes silence is overwhelming for students with ADD and ADHD. People with ADD and ADHD must have stimulation to concentrate; it is the blocking out of external stimulation which allows them to concentrate.
As for me, I find it much easier to work with a little background noise. I often grade papers listening to a ball game or some soft music.
