Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom
Kimberly Schutte
Just as with learning styles, students vary across the different multiple intelligences. After completing the multiple intelligences inventory online, I was able to rediscover information about myself as well as make new finding about myself concerning the different multiple intelligences. When looking at my results concerning the multiple intelligences, I have a relative consistency of ranking fairly the same in all of the nine different intelligences. However, I have especially high strengths in the multiple intelligences of logical and kinesthetic intelligences. When looking at each of these types of intelligences, one can see that there are a number of core characteristics that relate to that strength. The core characteristics surrounding the logical intelligence include a range of different types of reasoning ranging from linear to concrete to even abstract. Within each reasoning of the core characteristics include more specific characteristics such as working to find order in the world around us, taking a system and then breaking it down into the different parts of the system, and using symbols to represent elements of the real world. After reading about the core characteristics surrounding the logical intelligence and considering my own learning style, I can see that the characteristics of linear reasoning which involves working to obtain order as well as consistency in the world and the ability to use abstract reasoning to use symbols to represent real world elements as a major part of my life and learning. The other intelligence that I found high strength in is kinesthetic intelligence. Some of the core characteristics surrounding the kinesthetic intelligence include being task oriented which is where someone strives as well as reflexive through swift and intuitive responses to physical stimuli. The core characteristics that best relate to me and my learning including being a task oriented learner as well as being concrete by being able to express my feelings and thoughts with body movements.
After learning what type of multiple intelligence strengths represent myself and my learning makes me consider the different multiple intelligences that my students will have as a future teacher. Looking at the multiple intelligences that I find strengths in and relating it to students who could possibly have similar strengths, I find a group of characteristics that many students would have in common. Students who would also have strengths in the logical intelligence often would look for order, enjoy problem solving, find working on puzzles amusing, and work at a rate quicker than most. Those with strengths in the kinesthetic intelligence enjoy activities through hands-on work, rather work in “learning communities” or with other students rather than at their seat alone, and find games that are done in groups enjoyable.
Realizing that there are different types of multiple intelligences allows us to see how there will be a number of different students with different strengths and different ways of learning. After considering these multiple intelligences, then we can take this knowledge and apply it in the classroom when creating lessons and activities. Students who find strength in a logical sense be allowed to take part in the building assessment rubrics for class assignments, use safe and healthy debate in the classroom, and have puzzles as a part of the “learning environment”. Teachers should set goals for the entire classroom that are not only concise but reachable. As well teachers should use tasks in the classroom that are open-ended giving the class options as well as involve problem solving. When considering the kinesthetic intelligence found in some students, they should be offered activities that allow movement in the classroom due to rhythm and music as well as using manipulatives when involved in mathematics instruction which is something I find especially important as a future math teacher. Teachers should also have students involved in hands-on experiments specifically in science and in order to make lessons interesting use “creative drama” in teaching.
With the growing number of opportunities that technologies allow in the classroom, this must also be taken into consideration when considering the different intelligences in the classroom. In order to stimulate learning among students who have strong logical intelligences, teachers should utilize technology in lecturing, use of webquests, problem solving tasks involving technology, and graphing calculators. Strong kinesthetic intelligence students also have ways for technology to be integrated into the classroom to inspire learning to occur. Such technologies that can excite students to learn include the use of construction tools, pulleys, simulations that use eye-hand coordination techniques, and digital probes.
As one can see, a firm understanding and use of learning styles and multiple intelligences can really improve learning within the classroom. In fact, as a future teacher I find that understanding that there are many different multiple intelligences and learning styles that I must have diversity and excitement in my lesson plans in order to intrigue all different students in my classroom. Even further, having a solid knowledge about how different students with different intelligences learn is important in order to see how all of the students in a classroom learn. Looking into the future, as a future teacher I find that I want to learn about how my students because it will be important in order to allow for learning to occur in the classroom.
Kimberly Schutte
Just as with learning styles, students vary across the different multiple intelligences. After completing the multiple intelligences inventory online, I was able to rediscover information about myself as well as make new finding about myself concerning the different multiple intelligences. When looking at my results concerning the multiple intelligences, I have a relative consistency of ranking fairly the same in all of the nine different intelligences. However, I have especially high strengths in the multiple intelligences of logical and kinesthetic intelligences. When looking at each of these types of intelligences, one can see that there are a number of core characteristics that relate to that strength. The core characteristics surrounding the logical intelligence include a range of different types of reasoning ranging from linear to concrete to even abstract. Within each reasoning of the core characteristics include more specific characteristics such as working to find order in the world around us, taking a system and then breaking it down into the different parts of the system, and using symbols to represent elements of the real world. After reading about the core characteristics surrounding the logical intelligence and considering my own learning style, I can see that the characteristics of linear reasoning which involves working to obtain order as well as consistency in the world and the ability to use abstract reasoning to use symbols to represent real world elements as a major part of my life and learning. The other intelligence that I found high strength in is kinesthetic intelligence. Some of the core characteristics surrounding the kinesthetic intelligence include being task oriented which is where someone strives as well as reflexive through swift and intuitive responses to physical stimuli. The core characteristics that best relate to me and my learning including being a task oriented learner as well as being concrete by being able to express my feelings and thoughts with body movements.
After learning what type of multiple intelligence strengths represent myself and my learning makes me consider the different multiple intelligences that my students will have as a future teacher. Looking at the multiple intelligences that I find strengths in and relating it to students who could possibly have similar strengths, I find a group of characteristics that many students would have in common. Students who would also have strengths in the logical intelligence often would look for order, enjoy problem solving, find working on puzzles amusing, and work at a rate quicker than most. Those with strengths in the kinesthetic intelligence enjoy activities through hands-on work, rather work in “learning communities” or with other students rather than at their seat alone, and find games that are done in groups enjoyable.
Realizing that there are different types of multiple intelligences allows us to see how there will be a number of different students with different strengths and different ways of learning. After considering these multiple intelligences, then we can take this knowledge and apply it in the classroom when creating lessons and activities. Students who find strength in a logical sense be allowed to take part in the building assessment rubrics for class assignments, use safe and healthy debate in the classroom, and have puzzles as a part of the “learning environment”. Teachers should set goals for the entire classroom that are not only concise but reachable. As well teachers should use tasks in the classroom that are open-ended giving the class options as well as involve problem solving. When considering the kinesthetic intelligence found in some students, they should be offered activities that allow movement in the classroom due to rhythm and music as well as using manipulatives when involved in mathematics instruction which is something I find especially important as a future math teacher. Teachers should also have students involved in hands-on experiments specifically in science and in order to make lessons interesting use “creative drama” in teaching.
With the growing number of opportunities that technologies allow in the classroom, this must also be taken into consideration when considering the different intelligences in the classroom. In order to stimulate learning among students who have strong logical intelligences, teachers should utilize technology in lecturing, use of webquests, problem solving tasks involving technology, and graphing calculators. Strong kinesthetic intelligence students also have ways for technology to be integrated into the classroom to inspire learning to occur. Such technologies that can excite students to learn include the use of construction tools, pulleys, simulations that use eye-hand coordination techniques, and digital probes.
As one can see, a firm understanding and use of learning styles and multiple intelligences can really improve learning within the classroom. In fact, as a future teacher I find that understanding that there are many different multiple intelligences and learning styles that I must have diversity and excitement in my lesson plans in order to intrigue all different students in my classroom. Even further, having a solid knowledge about how different students with different intelligences learn is important in order to see how all of the students in a classroom learn. Looking into the future, as a future teacher I find that I want to learn about how my students because it will be important in order to allow for learning to occur in the classroom.
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