Understanding Our Students Through Multiple Intelligence Theory
Introduction
It is no secret that our children all learn at different rates and have different abilities. Just because some students learn different tasks or skills at a different rate doesn't make them less or more intelligent than the others. Popularized by Howard Gardner in the 1980's, Multiple Intelligence theory set out to explain why people learn differently. He found nine different types of intelligences found in humans: Naturalist, Musical, Logical-Mathematical, Existential, Interpersonal, Bodily-Kinesthetic, Linguistic, Intra-Personal, and Spatial (Howard).
Considering the major trend to differentiate instruction in the 21st century classroom to teach 21st century skills, taking a good look into multiple intelligence theory will aid as a nice introduction to this mini-course on teaching Social Studies through mindful engagement.
Lesson Objectives
Objectives:
By completing this lesson, participants will be able to:
- Understand the importance of multiple intelligence theory and its implications in the classroom by sharing their new found knowledge with classmates through online discussion.
- Use multiple intelligence tests to help gauge a students learning style through their own results and the results of their classmates.
Readings
1) The Nine Type of Intelligence by Howard Gardner
This is a short piece that details the nine types of intelligence as stated by Howard Gardner. Pay attention to the differences of each type of intelligence and think about connections between mindful engagement (which you read about before this lesson) and the different types of learning styles students possess.
Click here for the Gardner Article
2) Multiple Intelligence: The Most Effective Platform For Global 21st Century Educational and Instructional Methodologies. By Donovan McFarlane
This article is a little more involved than article #1. It provides some great incite into different instructional methodologies that can be effective when considering multiple intelligence theory in lesson planning. Pay attention to some ways you can use these methods to create lessons that cater towards different types of intelligence.
Please read these two articles before moving on in the course.
Tasks
1) Read Two Articles
2) Take Your Own Multiple Intelligence Test!
Every wonder what your strengths were? Well now you can! Click the link below and get started on your intelligence test.
- Record your results and use them for our discussion!
3) Discussion Activity
After reading the two articles provided, answer the following questions in an initial post:
1) What are some of the ways a teacher could apply the theory of multiple intelligence theory to help promote the development of 21st century skills?
2) Has the increase in diversity in the modern classroom made it more or less important to consider Gardner's theory on intelligence when writing lesson plans?
3) Were your intelligence test results surprising to you? How so?
IMPORTANT:
- Make one initial post answering the questions
- Respond to at least two of your classmates initial post
- Comment to all students who post under your initial post.
Assessment
Attached is the rubric for the discussion part of this lesson.
Move On!
You are now ready to move on to lesson #2!
References and Resources
1) Gardner, Howard. "The Nine Types of Intelligence." Skyview. N.p., n.d. Web.
2) McFarlaine, Donovan. "Multiple Intelligences: The Most Effective Platform for Global 21st Century Educational and Instructional Methodologies." College Quarterly 14.2 (2011): n. pag.