Friday, 2 March 2012

Multiple Intelligences


Multiple Intelligences

It is easy to realise that not all learners learn the same way and that each learner has knowledge, experiences or understanding of different areas.  

Our intelligences are the way that we, as learners, understand what is being taught or how we understand what is going on around us.  

Learners may have the following different intelligences:-

·        Kinaesthetic.  This intelligence is where the learner has  an understanding of the body and may be more prevalent in learners who are active and enjoy outdoor activities, sport, exercise etc.  To assist a kinaesthetic learner it would be wise to embrace some outdoor activities into the learning design.  This may include for example, going on excursions in relation to the related teaching area or allowing the learner to engage by embracing and using technology.  Allow the user to actually use the computers and be “hands on” for instance.

·        Linguistic.  This intelligence is where the learner has a knowledge of words.  The learner may enjoy reading, writing, like to discuss topics etc.  By using powerpoints, overhead projections etc this will assist the Linguistic learner and as such should be included in the learning design.
·         Visual/Spatial.  This intelligence is where the learner may enjoy images, designs or pictures etc.  Often these learners enjoy art, reading graphs or diagrams etc.  ICT is very useful for this intelligence.  Graphs, picture art, bubbl us displays can all be used to assist this type of learner and should be included in the learning design.
·       Naturalist.  This intelligence is where the learner may enjoy nature and have an understanding of our environment, plants and animals etc.  ICT could be included in this area by showing the learner where they can find exciting and up to date information on this area that they know and enjoy.  Pictures of the environment and animals could also be displayed using ICT.

·       Musical.  This intelligence is where the learner may enjoy music and have a good understanding of music.  The learner  could be connected to ICT through the use of IPODS, IPADS, showing or discussing sites such as ITunes and relating this into the learning design.  It might be as simple as making a writing lesson on a favourite music theme and suggesting sites where this information could be obtained etc.

·         Interpersonal.  This intelligence means the learner may be a people person and may like working in groups and have a good understanding of group related activities.  Group themes could be embraced in the learning design.

·         Intrapersonal.  This intelligence means the learner may have a good self knowledge.  By ensuring that some tasks are independent will assist these learners.
·         Logical (Mathematical).  This intelligence means the learner may be good with numbers and problem solving.  There are many mathematical programs available in ICT now and some of these may be incorporated into the learning plan.
A learner may not only have one (1) of the above intelligences but a variety of them.  Some may be more prevalent than others.

It is essential to designing a learning plan to understand what intelligences each student may have in the class.

When first getting to know students it would be a good idea for each student to give a short introduction of themselves and to say their likes and dislikes, including what their favourite school subject is or outside activity.

By asking some simple questions such as:

1.       Do you play a musical instrument?  Do you like playing a musical instrument?

2.       Do you play any sport?  What is your favourite sport?

3.       Do you like reading?  What is your favourite book?

4.       Who has an animal?  What is your favourite animal?

5.       What is your favourite thing about yourself?

6.       What you do you like doing?

These simple questions may help the teacher to determine the intelligences that each student has and this will enable the teacher to work out what areas interest or assist the student in learning and include some of the above ideas into the learning plan.

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