Multiple Intelligences Reflection Paper

Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligence’s (MI theory) is a valuable resource for teachers, if they understood how they could apply this in the classroom (Snowman & McCown, 2012). In this class, there are multiple intelligences observed amongst the students; however, there is minimal differentiated instruction to allow the students the best opportunities for success. It is critical that teachers understand that their teaching methods may not be wrong, but they

In “A Rounded Version: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences”, Howard Gardner illustrates how there are a variety of intelligences. Gardner starts off with an example how IQ tests may predict achievement in school but may not predict achievement in life. After finding out certain parts of the brain are responsible for certain functions, such as “Broca’s Area” which is responsible for sentence production, Gardner proposes the existence of multiple intelligences. Multiple studies later led him to propose seven distinct intelligences; Musical, bodily-kinesthetic, logical-mathematical, linguistic, spatial, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Each intelligence has certain classifications. According to Gardner’s classifications, I realized my intelligences are bodily-kinesthetic, logical-mathematical, and intrapersonal.

The theories of Howard Gardner and Urie Bronfenbrenner are at the heart of my educational philosophy. I firmly believe in Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory, and his perspective that everyone has their own individual learning style. This is important to know, especially when working with children. Understanding how each child learns best and the way they process information provides teachers with a unique viewpoint into each student and allows for opportunities to teach in a way that fosters many benefits for everyone. Using Gardner’s theory as a basis for my teaching, allows me to plan meaningful, curriculum and create a classroom environment that encourages success for each child and their families. Following the ideals of Bronfenbrenner will allow me to see who the child is, and what his or her influences are. Knowing the traditions and culture the child comes from, will give me a better understanding of their life experiences and the belief system of their family.

Gerald Graff, the author of “Hidden Intellectualism” argues that there is more than one way to measure intelligence. This essay significantly considers how Graff’s beliefs on “Hidden Intellectualism” can be related to today’s education system. While I somewhat agree with Graff I find it difficult to completely believe that children should be taught only of topics that interest them because a student should be well rounded and have a general understanding of the other basic academic skills.

This learning experience is designed for a year 1 class (middle of the year) with diverse learning needs. The lessons take into account Gardner’s multiple intelligences theory and caters for EAL/D, students who are ready to move beyond the lesson and students who are not ready to move beyond the lesson. The activities seen in the three lessons may be modified to suit the needs of individual students (refer to catering for diversity).

curriculum. Additionally, this enables for a higher than usual level of explicit teaching in all subject areas. However, it does not make integrated curriculum delivery very viable. Fortunately, Mrs. Bea has an innovative teaching style and adjusts her teaching to cater to Gardner’s multiple intelligences (1983) and diverse learning styles.

Intelligence can be developed through experience and learning. In Carol S. Dweck’s who is in fact a PhD expert in the field of psychology wrote an article, “Transforming Student’s Motivation to Learn,” she states, “Results showed that what students believe about their brains - whether they see their intelligence as something that’s fixed or something that can grow and change – has profound effect on their motivation, learning, and school achievement.” Essentially what this is illustrating is that having a fixed or growth mindset can minimize students from being terrified of failure and in addition faced and embrace their challenges rather than running from them. Students need to understand an intelligent mindset is a paramount pathway in becoming successful, and eventually one needs to not be easily discouraged at the first sight of a challenge, but become motivated and driven by failure, and in turn willing to work harder to accomplish something they want to succeed at. A perfect example of this is through Mike Rose’s school experiences, we can see how he demonstrates the concepts of a growth and fixed mindset.

Albert Einstein stated that “everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid”. At Highland Middle School, we understand that each student contain personal strengths and weaknesses in aspects of education. For this reason, we place a high amount of focus on incorporating Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences concept in our classrooms, lesson plans, assessments, and learning objectives. Essential elements that are conducive to implementing Gardner’s concept include allows students to have choices and let their curiosity direct their learning, incorporating technology that increases student learning outcomes, and incorporating hands-on learning opportunities throughout the school day.

‘‘Gardner’s multiple intelligences theory can be used for curriculum development, planning instruction, selection of course activities, and related assessment strategies. Instruction which is designed to help students develop their strengths can also trigger their confidence to develop areas in which they are not as strong. Students’ multiple learning preferences can be addressed when instruction includes a range of meaningful and appropriate methods, activities, and assessments. Gardner’s early work in psychology and later in human cognition and human potential’ led to the development of the initial six intelligences. Today there are nine intelligences and the possibility of others may eventually expand the list. These intelligences (or competencies) relate to a person’s unique aptitude set of capabilities and ways they might prefer to demonstrate intellectual abilities’’ ( (Armstrong, T., 2010). Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences

A strategy to be implemented in the classroom will be by including multiple opportunities for students to take in the core information or concepts and utilising Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory in learning centres. The students’ interest and developmental needs dictate their learning, as they are able to draw on prior experiences. To implement Gardner’s Theory in my classroom, seven learning centres will be organised, each dedicated to one of the seven intelligences. The students will spend time moving through the centres, dedicating fifteen to twenty

In the classroom it is important to collect information regarding students learning styles, readiness level, and what hinders the student from learning. Creating instructions take time due to students having different learning styles. Collecting data will help support the differentiated instructions that teachers will use in the classroom to ensure all students have the capabilities to gain the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the classroom. Before gathering data on students, teachers must be aware of their strengths and weaknesses to be able to help students beyond their understanding. There are eight multiple intelligences teachers can use to incorporate differentiated instructions to increase student learning. Gaining this kind of data will give teachers the information needed to guide students throughout the classroom.

Implementing the multiple intelligences theory will support the children in the scenario by catering to the children’s interests and abilities at the time, consequently engaging the children and causing fewer distractions in the classroom (Whitebread & Coltman, 2008). The EYLF states that when educators are responsive to a child’s strength, ability, needs, and interests, they build on the child’s skills and knowledge (DEEWR, 2009). This forms an important basis for curriculum decision making and allows the use of spontaneous teaching moments to scaffold children’s learning (DEEWR, 2009). This interactive approach is effective because it allows for social, emotional and physical growth alongside intellectual development to occur (Scott,

In reflecting on what you have learned about professional development, how would you support yourself and some department colleagues in learning to implement multiple intelligences as an instructional strategy?

If a teacher is having difficulty reaching a student in the more traditional linguistic or logical ways of instruction, the theory of multiple intelligences suggests several other ways in which the material might be presented to facilitate effective learning.

Students are more positive about each other when they learn co-operatively than when they learn alone, competitively, or individualistically. Students are more effective interpersonally as a result of working together (Johnson and Johnson, 1984). My two lessons reflect good practice primarily because of the use of group work and the consideration of students’ differing learning styles. Good practice – Multiple Intelligences Howard Gardner is an American psychologist who came up with the theory of Multiple Intelligences. Multiple Intelligences are different ways to demonstrate intellectual ability. Gardner proposes seven different intelligences: linguistic, logic-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily kinesthetic, interpersonal and intrapersonal (http://www.infed.org/thinkers/gardner.htm). Seven kinds of intelligence allow seven ways to teach, rather than one. Teachers, therefore, should to attend to all intelligences. Students should have opportunities to work on tasks where their style of intelligence can be utilised best.