Multiple Intelligences Profile and Teaching Style - Research Paper Example

Multiple Intelligences Profile and Teaching Style Teacher’s multiple intelligences profile is indispensable part of his or her teaching style as well as overall philosophy of teaching. Every person has individual preferences in ways of learning. A teacher is most probably using those in his/her own teaching. However, students are benefiting most in the classroom where a teacher is employing tasks and assignments to develop different intelligences. Importance of multiple intelligences can be better described with the help of Howard Gardner statement: It is of the utmost importance that we recognize and nurture all of the varied human intelligences, and all of the combinations of intelligences. We are all so different largely because we have different combinations of intelligences. If we recognize this, I think we will have at least a better chance of dealing appropriately with the many problems that we face in the world (Gardner, 2006, p. 24). Nature, language, and body movement are on the first place in my intelligences profile. Active life and sports are equally important for mind and body, while sensibility to nature and environment sharpens the feeling of responsibility and awareness of the wonderful creatures we live among. Linguistic intelligence is important, because it helps to better express oneself as well as better understand other people. The power of a word was proven by a great philosopher and eloquent speaker, Socrates. Other intelligences with the score higher than 3 are interpersonal, intrapersonal, spatial, logical-mathematical also play important role in my life. Finally, musical intelligence is just 1.57. It is rather low because I neither sing nor play any instruments. However, I pride classical as well as popular music. Obviously, my teaching style is influenced by my intelligences. So, I pay much attention at students’ use of language, their vocabulary and ability to express themselves clearly. Furthermore, I favor students who know a lot about nature and natural processes, while students with musical intelligence are basically left without attention. I think it would be reasonable to include some tasks which are at least partially related to musical sphere. Thus, no matter what one is teaching Armstrong suggests to “put into a rhythmic format that can be either sung, rapped, or changed” (2009, p. 85). A classroom where all or at least most of the combinations of intelligences are welcomed and developed is the key to the most fruitful learning environment of any subject which is taught. Many educators successfully incorporate Gardener’s MI theory and classroom recommendations in their daily work. Diverse students with different intelligences demand complex and multi-sided approach to teaching philosophy and instructions. Lazear (2003) has employed his personal and professional teaching experience in this theory of multiple intelligences and its application in the classroom. His most observations and practical application are based on teaching his two daughters at high and grade school levels. Lazear (2003) defines teaching strategies in Multiple Intelligences Toolbox. Obviously, appropriate application of the theory of multiple intelligences in classroom creates student-oriented environment. To accommodate diverse students’ learning styles I need to make some changes in my approaches to teaching. It has to be a planned step-by-step approach followed by reflective observation and analysis. Teaching English, for instance, there are many ways of incorporating music into instructions which will both teach English language skills and meet needs of students who are strong in music. After listening to a musical piece by Bach or Beethoven students can be asked to write composition on a specific topic, use specific adjectives or adverbs, express their feelings verbally, write a song or poem on the theme of the music piece. Depending on the grade level students may learn some grammatical rule chanting the song with specific grammatical patterns, etc. There are several ideas of what activities can used in classroom to develop musical intelligence. I like several examples of such activities which can be found on Multiple Intelligences for Adults Literacy and Education Website. Those can be used for teaching both English as native language and English as second or foreign language: Creating a poem with an emphasis on certain sounds for pronunciation. Clapping out or walking out the sounds of syllables. Choral reading to work on fluency and intonation. Reading a story with great emotion — sad, then happy, then angry. Working with words that sound like what they mean (onomatopoeia) (Multiple Intelligences for Adults Literacy and Education, 2002). Unfortunately, as Armstrong (2009) stresses, logical-mathematical reasoning is restricted to math and science subjects. However, there are a number of ways to incorporate math assignments in teaching many other subjects. Recently many teacher have began using statistics, different graphs and figures to compare and contrast some events and phenomena in such spheres as history, geography, social sciences, etc. There are several quite interesting ideas of application logic-mathematical thinking in the classroom offered on Multiple Intelligences for Adults Literacy and Education Website: Sorting, categorizing, and characterizing word lists. Exploring the origins of words. Working with scrambled sentences. Looking for patterns in words. What's the relationship between heal, health, and healthier? Looking at advertisements critically. What are they using to get you to buy their product? (Multiple Intelligences for Adults Literacy and Education Website, 2002) Application of multiple intelligences theory in teaching any school subject is not simply necessary it is crucial component of every teacher’s career. Prioritizing one subject over the other blunts students’ natural interest in subject they really like. Complex tasks oriented at development different students’ intelligences are one of the components of student-oriented environment where every child is favored and understood. Such environment helps students become life long learners and truth seekers. Multiple intelligences approaches and instructions help students form positive attitude both to a certain subject and education in general. Multi-dimensional approach to students’ needs and interests helps them to become good critical thinkers who are not afraid of solving any problem they encounter in life. References Armstrong, T. (2009) Multiple intelligences in the classroom. 3-rd Ed. Alexandria, VA: ASCD. Gardner, H.   (2006)   Multiple intelligences: New horizons.   New York, N: Basic Books. Lazear, D. (2003). Eight ways of teaching: The artistry of teaching with multiple intelligences.   Berkeley, CA. Multiple Intelligences for Adults Literacy and Education. (2002). Retrieved March 22, 2011, from http://literacyworks.org/mi/home.html Read More