How are students “smart” in different ways?
Students are “smart” in different ways and it is their varying approach to different tasks in the classroom setting that determines whether or not they will have access to the concepts or walk away with a deeper understanding of the lesson. Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence (MI) theory posits that children learn in eight (8) different ways; Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Musical, Spatial, Bodily Kinesthetic, Interpersonal, Intra-personal, Naturalistic. When these kinds of intelligence are taken into account in the classroom, the process of teaching and learning changes drastically.
How can teachers use multiple intelligence in the classroom?
Teachers can use multiple intelligence in the classroom to plan effectively towards students strengths. They can approach the lessons from a variety of angles to give students multiple entry points to enhance understanding. In a practical sense, Gardner’s theory posits that teachers must find ways to individualize their instruction, they must vary or diversify their approach in how content is presented and how the knowledge learned is presented back to them. I believe that this approach will maximize individual student’s intelligence and ensure that they thrive. A good example is teaching fractions, each day of the week a different intelligence can be identified and used. Monday: Logical Mathematical(brain games and puzzles), Tuesday: Bodily Kinesthetic (manipulatives), Wednesday: Linguistic (poems), Thursday: Spatial (flash cards with drawings), Friday: Naturalistic (nature walk with journals), Monday: Interpersonal (cooperative groups), Tuesday: Intrapersonal (journaling) and Wednesday: Musical (singing math facts).
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