Journey to Excellence

Multiple Intelligence (MI)

Historically America’s classrooms have featured a teacher up front imparting facts to a group of students sitting at desks. The teacher was the main decision maker, leading discussions and disseminating information. Today, with the explosion of available knowledge, no teacher could possibly master, nor can the student be expected to learn all the facts. Therefore, a different model is necessary.

An understanding of Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory has been used as a basis for choosing various options for teaching, learning, and assessment. Gardner, in articulating his theory broadened the overall definition of intelligence. Other models prefer to emphasize learning tendencies (styles) rather than intelligences.

The following material summarizes key points of multiple intelligence theory. Future updates may expand the topic to include other theories.

Journey to Excellence lists the following objectives:

  1. Teachers will be knowledgeable about theories of learning styles and will continue to be aware of the needs of learners through current research and professional growth activities.
  2. Teachers will help students identify their dominant learning styles and provide opportunities to strengthen less-developed learning styles.
  3. Teachers will employ a variety of instructional strategies to meet styles of individual students.

Resources

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