"If I know you're very good in music, I can predict with just about zero accuracy whether you're going to be good or bad in other things.”
--Howard Gardner
The multiple intelligences theory is an interesting concept worth exploring and implementing in your classroom. The strategies and activities presented in this blog, although simple, need a lot of preparation and understanding of Gardner's theory. Here are some tips and advice to help you implement them in your classroom successfully.
- First of all, take your time to explain the theory of multiple intelligences to your students. It is something that is going to be helpful for them in every learning endevour they start.
- When you explain why you are going to use different types of activities to address different types of intelligences, your students will see that they have the freedom to express themselves in a way that is most suitable for them.
- Always remember that all human beings possess all types of intelligences. Also remember that because we favor the use of one, it doesn't mean we don't use the others or that we can't use them for different types of activities.
- The activities presented in this blog are not "plug-and-play." They are not tricks you take out of a magic hat. You need to plan a lesson in advance, see if the activity you want to use works well with that lesson and your classroom, and finally, adapt the activity to your needs and your students' needs so you can take the maximum advantage of them.
- Always establish objectives for the activities, explain them to the class and measure their success at the end of it.
- Combine activities. If the lesson allows it, give your students the chance to choose their activity. Lets say they already know how to do concept maps, ejournals and graphic stories. Let them choose the one that best suits their style. It will give you better results in the long run.
- When presenting a lesson, talking about a specific subject or giving a lecture, use different types of aids to address not only the different types of intelligence, but also different learning styles.
- Let the students voice their opinions and work together with them. If they don't enjoy an activity or they don't understand it, work with them to clarify their questions or to chose a new activity that works better for the classroom.
- Work with rubrics so the students have a guide and can set clear objectives.
- Get out of the classroom. Don't limit your assignments to books and presentations. Get the outdoors involved in your assignments. Students will love the fresh air.
- Not all the intelligence styles are easy to address. Activities for the musical and naturalistic types can be a little tough to include in your lessons depending on what you are teaching. Don't feel like you have to prepare for all eight styles for each class/lesson you teach.
- Remember not to label students into one or another type of intelligence. The best way to foster different types of intelligence in your classroom is to let your students be creative and express themselves in different ways.
- Finally, always have a contingency plan. If you see that your learners are not doing well with the activity you have chosen for a class, change. Do not force it upon them. It is better to use an activity that might seem simpler than trying to use one that won't bring any results.