Apply multiple intelligences theory in classroom
The theory of multiple intelligences has become popular today, thanks to Harvard Gardner. Any teacher can apply the theory in his/her classroom with just a bit of effort and thought. However, at first, let’s look at what these specific kinds of intelligences are.
Multiple intelligences theory classifies types of intelligences into eight categories:
1) Visual-Spatial: They think in terms of physical space. They are good with reading charts; grasping working models; and understanding concepts when shown in graphics
2) Bodily-kinesthetic: Learners who fall into this category have a keen sense of body awareness. They understand something better when it involves a physical activity such as a role-play or making hands-on models.
3) Musical: They understand everything through sound and rhythm. They respond well to audio-dialogues. Primary students and kindergarteners relate to music and lyrics very keenly.
4) Linguistic: Linguistic learners think and understand in terms of words. They are good with word games, stories, and poetry.
5) Interpersonal: They learn better when they work as a group. They can be taught through group discussions, team activities, and workshops.
6) Intrapersonal: Students have intrapersonal abilities are the most independent learners. While studying, they prefer space, time, and privacy. They are often avid readers.
7) Logical-Mathematical: They are good at calculating figures. They often enjoy solving puzzles and mysteries.
8) Naturalist: They enjoy exploring the natural world of plants and animals. They enjoy outdoor activities and are often very observant.
There a few things you can implement in a classroom environment to cater to different learning styles. It is advisable to allocate the same activity to an entire class. Let the whole class be exposed to a new way of learning and in the process, a few students take to one particular way better than the other. Read a few pointers:
– A role play to understand and retain history and literature lessons better. Divide students into groups of five and ask them to concisely re-write, say, a lesson in French Revolution. Then, they can develop that into a skit having characters of different rulers and soldiers.
– Incorporate hands-on physical models to illustrate concepts across science subjects such as eclipses of the moon, germination of seeds, and parts of a flower.
– Let Class X students formulate research questions on a particular topic in social science. Letting them do surveys in their respective localities works for civics topics. This requires both logical and interpersonal skills. Later, to write a thesis based on the data acquired needs linguistic skills too.
– Give them a topic related to a social evil and let them come up with a small street play on it.
– Let them design posters.
– For students in lower grades, it works if you play simple music with lyrics that talk about concepts already taught in class. It could be tenses or nouns.
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