Weekly reflection 9: Using Technology to Enhance Different Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences

Dear Donna and Friends,

This week was, especially, for discussion on learning styles/strategies, multiple intelligence and different types of technology tools that could be used in classrooms. Numbers of reading resources such as- articles, web links, and web pages state that a classroom is a composition of learners having different intelligences dominant, having sorts of learning styles/strategies and preferences .  Different learners help their learning by using varieties of techniques. Some learners tend to understand information best by discussing, applying it in real life situation or explaining it, whereas others prefer to think about it quietly first. Some learners like learning facts, solving problems by well-established methods, whereas others prefer discovering possibilities and relationships, they like innovation and dislike repetition. Beside these, some learners remember best what they see -such as pictures, diagrams and charts and some others (verbal learners) understand best by using words written and spoken. Some tend to learn in a sequence but others tend to learn in large jumps, absorbing materials almost randomly without seeing connections. Learners’ learning styles might be correlated to the pattern of multiple intelligences. Howard Gardner propounded the theory of multiple intelligences stating that individuals have similar types of intelligences but no one is exactly similar. It is because of different patterns of intelligences they possess. The other very important thing everyone must consider is that intelligences can be enhanced /maturated through carefully organized teaching strategies.   According to him there are nine types of intelligences: Verbal/Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Visual/Spatial, Bodily-kinesthetic, Musical, Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Natural and Existentialist. Learners having these intelligences dominant should be helped using wider range of techniques and technology. For verbal/linguistic intelligence we can use web documents, PDF Files, word processing PowerPoint, story-creation software, e-mail, chats, social networks and e- reference tools etc. For Logical-Mathematical intelligence organizational tools, calculation tools, scientific equipment, spreadsheets, statistics animation, webquests etc are very important to be used. Similarly, tools such as photo sharing websites, comics and sequential art, CAD (Computer- Aided Design), Animation software, puzzle building tools, Draw programs, paint, match pictures with vocabulary words, etc. could be used to develop visual/ spatial intelligence. Likewise, we have numbers of technology tools such as video productions-skits, dances, sports etc, Animation, Virtual Field Trip, Digital still and video cameras virtual worlds etc to enhance Bodily- kinesthetic intelligence. Musical intelligence can be strengthened using video and audio recorders, sound and music files, DVDs and CD-audios and music sharing sites and so on. Some learners have intrapersonal intelligence dominant. They will be helped to understand the information best by using Computer-based journaling, Concept maps, Problem solving software, Internet research and so on. Similarly, Blogs, Chat, Video and teleconferencing, Group decisions software , Social networks, Video recording, Collaborative Computer software or games etc  are very good tools for interpersonal intelligence. Naturalist can learn best by using Audio and Video cameras, record of natural world, Digital cameras, Word processing, Data organization and calculation, Desktop presentations etc. and Existentialists would prefer learning the big pictures of natures and things that exist in the world.

With help of this rich amount of ideas to use technology I gained from this course, I am sure I could choose appropriate tools to develop my learners’ intelligences. First of all, I could take a survey of the dominant intelligence of learners who I am teaching to and put the record of that. On the basis of learners’ learning strategies, and multiple intelligences I could pick up some tools considering the context of availability and usability and then create environment so that different learners could choose what they want to do, in what way they could. From the piles of tools as mentioned above I could choose some considering their level and other variations.

This course has definitely brought innovation into my knowledge of teaching. I think it will be activator to bring computer in classroom, to shift the one-way PowerPoint presentation to interactive one, to give more and more alternative examples, assignments, resources to teach the same portion of information. In fact, this course will encourage me to practice human rights not only in general sense but also in learning styles/ strategies and multiple intelligences in my classrooms. Truly speaking, I am wordlessly feeling guilty for depriving from real learning to most of my previous learners who did not have verbal/linguistic, logical- mathematical intelligences dominant in my classrooms. I tagged them as intelligent and dull focusing only on verbal/linguistic and logical mathematical intelligences. I could not address their rights for learning using their own styles although I had responsibility to consider about equity and equality side by side.

Regarding the continuation of my learning about technology I could use three main strategies. The first is to search, as far as possible, for different learning tools, search engines and other links to use to collect varieties of ideas from different resources myself. Secondly, I could look for different universities, institutions and organizations that grant opportunities like the University of Oregon and apply for them. Thirdly, I will keep in touch with my instructors and e- friends of this class and share some experiences, knowledge from each others.

With Warm Greetings!

Harimaya