Everyone learns differently. To help explain this I like to use the Theory of Multiple Intelligences by Howard Gardner. The developmental stage of any child is individualized, learning at different stages. According to Gardner, intelligence is not alone or one factor that can be easily measured. Learning is done at different stages based on the individual learning aptitude of each student. This theory challenges traditional learning which is uniform not catering to individual needs.
This theory can be applied different ways such as embracing each student's own individual using the theories approach to embracing that style to having students embrace all learning styles as a way to differentiate their learning. The New City School has been using the theory of Multiple Intelligences since 1988 with great success producing material and training teachers in practical applications of the theory in the classroom.
Technology can be used to help differentiate learning for all individuals to achieve desired learning goals based on each students needs. Students can use multimedia to create many different ways of engaging student in learning embracing their own style of education.
References
Harold Gardner Multiple Intelligences in Education http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm
New City School http://www.newcityschool.org/Home.aspx?ContentID=1
Hi Sherri!
ReplyDeleteLike you, I believe we all learn with different strengths and weaknesses. Gardner labels them his multiple intelligences. One question that I have always pondered with Gardner (and even more so with the digital classroom), is how do we educate our students when they are all over the place in their best methods for learning.
It is very unlikely we'd get a class of all audio-visual learners or those with the same learning style as the teacher. So if we have 20-30 kids in a class and 7-9 different shades of how they learn best, what do we do?
With the digital classroom, how do we accomplish the same task when we're often at the mercy of a computer? Do we create a drop-down menu type of setting where learners can choose how information is presented or do we offer all of the approaches every time to all?
Any thoughts about this?
Ray
I think technology can only enhance the use of multiple intelligences in the classroom. We have so many different ways to use technology beyond the aspects of visual learning that it allows educators to create self learners in our students by using technology in the way that they learn best. I have included a few links of technology and multiple intelligences to show the variety of uses. Thanks for the post!!
Deletehttp://www.america-tomorrow.com/ati/nhl80402.htm
http://www.casacanada.com/multech.html
I enjoyed reading your blog post, as we shared the same sentiments about the fact that individuals learn differently. Additionally, we both mentioned Dr. Gardner’s approach to how people learn. I was first introduced to the concept of multiple intelligences (MI) as I was completing my masters in Technology in Education in 2005. Since then, I’ve occasionally given my eighth grade students a MI inventory for them to see how they learn best. Additionally, students are able to see which careers they would be better fir for based on their MI results. For example, careers that suit those with the bodily/kinesthetic intelligence include: athletes, pilots, actors, surgeons, builders, and police officers.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a good idea to incorporate multiple intelligence or some other type of inventory into classroom instruction so that students can see how they learn best. Maybe if they have a better understanding of how they learn; and teachers actually taught to reach various learning styles, students would have a much better learning experience.
Here are a couple of online multiple intelligence inventories that I ran across:
• http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/questions/questions.cfm
• http://www.literacyworks.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html
• http://quizfarm.com/quizzes/new/profesorrod/8-multiple-intelligences-test/
I first learned about multiple intelligences in my Master's program as well. In the courses I teach at the high school I include a lesson on multiple intelligences so that each student knows their own strengths and weakness to take control of their education creating self learners. Thank you for the post and the resources!
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