I've recently come to the conclusion that anyone giving me Barnes & Noble gift cards for Christmas is essentially filling a meth addict's stocking with paint thinner and Sudafed; I'm hopelessly addicted to buying books. Outside of the malignant connection I just made, some good can actually come of a book addiction. I recently got a shipment that contained three books by Howard Gardner, including his groudbreaking work, Frames of Mind, which introduced the world to the Seven Intelligences (since expanded to Eight Intelligences). I've made no secret of my recent infatuation with the works of Gardner, so to be able to get to the source is exciting. I haven't started any of the books yet, but when I do, I have a feeling I'll be posting here fairly frequently regarding new inspiration I've received.
Stay tuned.
Showing posts with label Multiple Intelligences. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Multiple Intelligences. Show all posts
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Reflections on Personal Learning Style
At the beginning of this course, I described myself as a visual learner, but gave concessions to an ability in auditory learning as well. My understanding of my learning abilities and intelligences has expanded tremendously. I used intelligences in that last sentence on purpose, because my exposure to Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences really opened my eyes to how I learn.
I was always dissatisfied with the visual/auditory classifications, as I felt it was missing something. What that something was I couldn't put my finger on, but it just seemed too basic. Reading Gardner's theory really resonated with me, as it filled in the gaps I perceived but was unable to fill myself. I particularly like the inclusion of the arts and personalities in the Multiple Intelligences Theory. Audio/Visual at least broaches the subject of Musical and Spatial Intelligence, but doesn't go all the way. I know many people who like music, but can't carry a tune. I know people who are color blind, but can truly appreciate a sunset for all its majesty. Simply classifying these people as audio or visual people doesn't describe the complexity of their unique situations. Gardner's theory says that it's possible to love music without being able to create it. The theory says my color-blind friend can rely on his spatial intelligence to appreciate the sunset for what it's worth, even if he can appreciate the full spectrum of color. I related to the theory so much, that I bought three Howard Gardner books, to learn more deeply on the subject.
Knowing about and believing in the eight intelligences will help me utilize technology in myriad ways. Adding ambient music to learning environments to stimulate those with a high musical intelligence; employing artistic style to learning environments to appeal to the spatially strong; and, try to bring people together to incorporate interpersonal intelligence. I also plan to make learning as asynchronous as possible, touching on a person's intrapersonal intelligence, and appealing to the adult learning tenant of self-direction. This is just the beginning.
I was always dissatisfied with the visual/auditory classifications, as I felt it was missing something. What that something was I couldn't put my finger on, but it just seemed too basic. Reading Gardner's theory really resonated with me, as it filled in the gaps I perceived but was unable to fill myself. I particularly like the inclusion of the arts and personalities in the Multiple Intelligences Theory. Audio/Visual at least broaches the subject of Musical and Spatial Intelligence, but doesn't go all the way. I know many people who like music, but can't carry a tune. I know people who are color blind, but can truly appreciate a sunset for all its majesty. Simply classifying these people as audio or visual people doesn't describe the complexity of their unique situations. Gardner's theory says that it's possible to love music without being able to create it. The theory says my color-blind friend can rely on his spatial intelligence to appreciate the sunset for what it's worth, even if he can appreciate the full spectrum of color. I related to the theory so much, that I bought three Howard Gardner books, to learn more deeply on the subject.
Knowing about and believing in the eight intelligences will help me utilize technology in myriad ways. Adding ambient music to learning environments to stimulate those with a high musical intelligence; employing artistic style to learning environments to appeal to the spatially strong; and, try to bring people together to incorporate interpersonal intelligence. I also plan to make learning as asynchronous as possible, touching on a person's intrapersonal intelligence, and appealing to the adult learning tenant of self-direction. This is just the beginning.
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