Multiple Intelegences in the Classroom

I recently took the multiple intelligences test in class and discovered that I have strengths in logical, existential, and intrapersonal learning. These are good indicators for me of my preferences as a learner and the ways in which I learn best.

Being a logical learner means that I prefer and am often better at learning projects which include reasoning and problem solving. A student who prefers logical learning experiences, are likely to enjoy science and math assignments in particular as they illicit problem solving methods. In the classroom, as a teacher, it is important to help support this learning style for students who prefer it by providing many opportunities to allow these students to use problem solving and use their logic skills to help them when learning new things. Technology can be used a lot with students who prefer the logical learning to others as it is easy for programs to create logical puzzles or problem solving experiences within many different types of forums. Some common ways in which technology support this style of learning is through puzzles, especially math puzzles which ask students to find an answer in a logical and straight forward way.

My tendency towards existential learning shows my preference to connect my current learning to other knowledge and assignments that I do. Many students also share this tendency; these are typically the students in class that ask questions such as, "Why do we have to know this?". Of course all students have some interest in the existential meaning of their learning, but students who excel in this learning style are likely to have a difficult time completing and focusing on projects when they can not understand the purpose of the project. Therefore teachers must be aware of students' needs to understand the meaning of their projects and be clear with students about why certain material is important to know. Teachers must show ways in which information in class can be used and adapted for use outside of class. Technology can be quite helpful for teachers as they attempt to do this with their students as it often offers and abundance of examples of real world uses of topics typically discussed in the classroom. It is helpful for students to be given time to look at information about professionals using information presented in class, but also for teachers to know about these professionals as they present information.

Also, as an intrapersonal learner, I learn well with assignments which I am passionate about and have personal connections to. Students, who like me, prefer to learn when passionate about it are likely to have great potential, but to need persistent motivation when beginning a project. However, once a student who prefers this learning style, begins a project and becomes excited about it, she is likely to do an excellent job, and perhaps have trouble putting it to an end. To help these learners, teachers must constantly provide students with examples of the meanings that assignments have to them. Students must be reminded that knowing information is an area will be beneficial, and interesting for them to learn. Technology again can be quite helpful for this as it offers students a good method for seeing different ways in which their own class work is already used, and can benefit, their own lives. Sites in which authors discuss the impact of a certain thing in their own life, are likely to be quite motivational to students with this learning preference.

As a teacher I know that I need to pay close attention to learning styles as I teach. It is important for me to provide instruction and aid to students using all of the different learning styles to guide activities and instruction, as it will help them to learn more and be more successful. I will have to be careful to teach students using learning preferences that may be different than my own. In addition to this, however, I also must try hard to connect with students whose learning styles are quite different from mine. An understanding of each learning style and its impact on learning and learners will help me to connect and understand the struggles of each of my students as I begin teaching young students. Because I intend to teach young children it is especially important that I am aware of their learning styles because, if I fail at connecting with them and helping them to be successful, than they are likely to have much less love for learning, and could possibly feel that they are not good at learning because of it. Teaching is an incredible important job and understanding how children learn is an essential part of that job which I must remember.