03.12.07
WEEK 2 - MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES
I find the study of Multiple Intelligences very interesting and something that I can really relate to. This study somehow allows differences in peoples learning to be recognised and in a way celebrated. I was always the student who struggled to sit and write, or learn through reading and comprehension. Allow me to visualise or present the information and I’d be flying. I always knew where my strengths lie, however I’m not quite sure all my teachers knew. I love that these MI’s are more widely recognised in schools nowadays so all student get to explore all their strengths and weaknesses.
If I were to predict my MI test, I honestly think it would have been exactly the same as my final results. As a teacher I would love for my students to also know where they stand in terms of MI. This allows student to work on their weaknesses but also celebrate and embrace their strengths and be proud of the type of learner they are. I think it’s also good for students to know they are not the only one who isn’t mathematically inclined, or musically based. Within my own strengths as a teacher, I can also lead the class in ways that many other teachers may not be comfortable in doing.
If you were to look at Drama on its own, not across the curriculum, you would assume it is filled with only right brain activities - And for the most part I think that’s true. But what inspired me, were the amount of examples and activities that were listed and suggested in the readings that catered for both Left and Right Brain students. I think Drama brings an exciting element to the curriculum by allowing several of the MI’s to be at work during the one task. Take for example some of the environmental issues we were discussing in class. When Jo asked if someone could explain how states of matters work, one student was able to give a brief lecture on the in’s and out’s of liquids turning into solids and so on. For some, this explanation was enough. Through words and text, they were able to comprehend what was being taught. For someone like myself – a Right Brainer – that information kinda went over my head. However, when it was explained again using our bodies, we were given another way of explaining the content which was perhaps more suited to our MI’s and learning styles.
Seeing these teaching styles back to back really excited me. I would probably have never thought to explain scientific information in a dramatic way. It’s not something I’ve seen a lot of, however I definitely want to explore it further as my teaching career develops. Had I only have thought of doing something like this last year when I was stuck in a science lab with grade 6 students studying plant structures!!!!
I would just like to finish by adding….I have sat at my computer for about 6 hours today trying to write two blogs. There have been welcomed distractions, a lot of procrastination, and not much motivation. This is most probably because I find it extremely hard for me to sit and write! If we had the option to present this blog as a visual diary of some description I think I would have done it in a second! It’s interesting that at a university level they often teach us about “different ways of teaching and learning†however whenever they put it into practice, there’s only one option!
Just some food for thought!