Discover Yourself - Part 2 (Multiple Intelligences / Learning Styles)

Introduction

Welcome: Discover Yourself - Part 2
Description: Multiple Intelligences or Learning Styles
Grade Level: 8th
Curriculum: Careers / Leadership
Keywords: Learning Styles; Multiple Intelligences; Howard Gardner; Eight Intelligences; I.Q. Types
Author(s): Derek W. Dennis

WHY ARE MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES / LEARNING STYLES IMPROTANT?

Learning styles can help guide you in the right career direction. Learning styles can also help students understand their strengths and weaknesses as well as manage personal learning better. Everyone learns differently.  Some of us like to study alone while others may wish to study collaboratively.  Some people may even learn best by putting what they know to music.  This webquest will explore the eight (8) learning styles as conceived by Howard Gardner and enable to you to continue being a lifelong learner by applying the right learning style for future academic and career success.

The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. It suggests that the traditional notion of intelligence, based on I.Q. testing, is far too limited. Instead, Dr. Gardner proposes 8 different intelligences to account for a broader range of human potential in children and adults. These intelligences are:

  • Verbal-Linguistic ("Word Smart")
  • Logical-mathematical ("Number/Reasoning Smart")
  • Visual-Spatial ("Picture Smart")
  • Bodily/Kinesthetic ("Body Smart")
  • Musical intelligence ("Music Smart")
  • Interpersonal ("People Smart")
  • Intrapersonal ("Self Smart")
  • Naturalist ("Nature Smart")

Dr. Gardner says that our schools and culture focus most of their attention on linguistic and logical-mathematical intelligence. We promote the highly articulate or logical people of our culture. However, according to Dr. Gardner we should also place equal attention on individuals who show gifts in the other intelligences: the artists, architects, musicians, naturalists, designers, dancers, therapists, entrepreneurs, and others who enrich the world in which we live. 

HOW TO LEARN ANYTHING 8 DIFFERENT WAYS

One of the most remarkable features of the theory of multiple intelligences is how it provides 8 different potential pathways to learning. If you find it difficult learning by more traditional linguistic or logical ways, there are several other ways in which you might effectively learn the material. Regardless of what vocation you choose, if you want to compete for the higher paying jobs and be your best there are better ways for you to learn any subject. The same basic principles apply to any situation. The key is discovering how you best relate to the information you need to learn. Always remember, "the most valuable thing we have in life are relationships."  So if we learn how to relate to ourselves, information, and others effectively we put ourselves in the best positon to succeed.

  • Words (Linguistic Intelligence)
  • Numbers or Logic (Logical-Mathematical Intelligence)
  • Pictures (Spatial Intelligence)
  • Music (Musical Intelligence)
  • Self-Reflection (Intrapersonal Intelligence)
  • Physical Experience (Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence)
  • Social Experience (Interpersonal Intelligence)
  • Experience in the Natural World (Naturalist Intelligence)

For example, if you’re learning the cause and effect of the 9/11 terrosists attacks on the U.S. economy, depending on your learning style you might do one or more of the following:

  • Read About It (Linguistic Intelligence)
  • Study Mathmematical Formulas that Express It (Logical-Mathematical Intelligence)
  • Examine A Bar Graph (Spatial Intelligence)
  • Write a Song or Find an Existing Song that Explains It (Musical Intelligence)
  • Examine the Cause & Effect in Terms of How It Effected Your Attitudes and/or Convictions (Intrapersonal Intelligence)
  • Relate the Event to Your Body's Responses (i.e. How Your Body Responds to Traumatic Experiences      (Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence)
  • Discover How People Spend & Save Money Since the Event (Interpersonal Intelligence)
  • Observe How the Natural World Motivated Terrorists Actions & The Effects on Nature (Naturalist Intelligence)

 

Task

As you move through this webquest, you will complete these tasks:

1. Review types of Multiple Intelligences.  

2. Learn your Intelligence.

3. Research careers that utilize your Intelligence, the education necessary for that profession, and the                     expectations for that career field.

4. Create a final product that demonstrates the connections between your intelligence and a particular       career.

Process

DISCOVER YOUR PREFERED INTELLIGENCE

Now that you can see these eight different types of intelligence, how do you know which intelligence you use? Actually, no one uses just one type of intelligence; we all use several in our daily lives. Some are stronger than others for each person. Thus it's helpful to determine your top intelligences and tailor your learning methods to best meet your particular combination of strengths.  

So what type of learner are you? Maybe you already have a guess or maybe you've never even thought about it. This webquest will answer that question and allow you to talk about what is probably your favorite subject: YOU!

1. Watch the Multiple Intelligences Video at https://youtu.be/cf6lqfNTmaM

2. Take the Multiple Intelligences Test at www.literacynet.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html                     (Save Your Results to Your Google Drive).

3. Refer back to the PowerPoint and list two activities, two occupations, and one famous person who share            this Intelligence with you. Was this close to what you predicted? Why? (You can again refer back to the            PowerPoint for specific examples). 

4. Next look at potential careers utilizing your specific intelligence- Multiple Intelligence Career Chart. You         will have to scroll down to see the chart.
       a. In your Multiple Intelligence column pick three careers you would like to learn more about.

5. Now go to www.oklahomacareerguide.com where you will research what kind of education is necessary to       qualify for each career. 
       a.  On the word document write down each career, what type of higher education is needed, 
            program (ex. if you want to become a teacher your program is Education), and name a specific school               in Oklahoma that provides this education.


Evaluation

Bringing it all together. 

Please complete one of the following projects in your identified Multiple Intelligence.  All electronic projects should be turned into the appropriate teacher file.  If you are unsure if this applies to you, please ask your teacher.

Linguistic/Verbal:
- Write a poem about your Intelligence type and career.  One stanza for each topic.

-  Research one of the famous people that share the same Intelligence as you.  Write an interview that you conducted with them.  
   •    Ask questions that relate back to the characteristics of this intelligence.  You may also include achievements in their career.         Interview must have at least 5 questions with responses.  Some research beyond today’s webquest may need to be done. 

Logical/Mathematical:
- Create a timeline of events in your life of what steps you would need to take to reach one of the careers you researched today.
•    Timeline must have at least six entries.  Entries could include things you will professional accomplish or do in your spare            time.  EX. If you wanted to be a car mechanic, building a car with an adult relative during high school could be one entry.            Include at least three pictures on your time line.

- Make a list of facts you discovered.  Breakdown the list into different    
  categorizes. Have at least 15 facts on your list.


Visual/Spatial:
- Create a PowerPoint slideshow of what you learned.  Include your intelligence and the careers you learned about today.  PowerPoint must have at least 5 slides- NOT including the title.  Please get creative with pictures and animation.

- Draw/illustrate a comic including you as the main character.  Include both your intelligence and at least one of the careers you learned about today.


Body/Kinesthetic:
- Make a puzzle.
   •    Draw a picture that either demonstrates one of the careers you research or the 
  characteristics of your Intelligence.  Outline it with different puzzle pieces, cut it and then have a    
  classmate put it back together.

- Create 3 charades.
   •    Each charade must act out a different career you researched today. 


Musical:
- Pick a song that relates to you as an individual and your lerning styles. 
  •    Please provide a copy of the lyrics.  Then write at least a 4 sentence paragraph on why this song             describes you and your learning style. You may go on Youtube for inspiration. HOWEVER, if this           privilege is abused then you will be asked to get off the computers and complete an alternative                 assignment.

- Pick a song and keep the beat, but change the words to describe what you learned today.
   •    Please provide a copy of the new lyrics, also state the original song title and
        artist.  You may go on Youtube for inspiration. HOWEVER, if this privilege is abused then you will         be asked to get off the computers and complete an alternative assignment.


Interpersonal:
- Poll the class about their learning styles and present your findings along with theirs.  
   •    Please let the teacher know when you start, so we do not question what you are doing.  Once you              have polled the class, please create a graph to represent your findings.

- Team up with another person with this learning style and give a presentation to the class.
  •    Presentation must include information on your shared intelligence (things you  like to do, famous             people who are similar, what school activities would be good with this intelligence) and two careers         that you researched.  


Intrapersonal:
- Set personal goals for how you can improve on the other seven intelligences. Write how you will improve these goals with a 2-3 sentence description. Multiple Intelligence Activities will provide you with additional activities to strengthen other Intelligences.  

- In a 5 sentence paragraph, describe the qualities you posses that allow you to succeed in school.  


Naturalist:
- Design a “garden” of characteristics that deal with your learning style.  Include at least 5 characteristics.
 
- Write how you will better protect the environment with one of the careers you researched today in a 5 sentence paragraph.
 
   

Credits

Resources

  • Armstrong, Thomas. Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom 3rd ed. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2009.
  • Armstrong, Thomas. 7 Kinds of Smart: Identifying and Developing Your Many Intelligences. New York: Plume, 1999.
  • Armstrong, Thomas. In Their Own Way: Discovering and Encouraging Your Child's Personal Learning Style, New York: Tarcher/Putnam, 1987.
  • Armstrong, Thomas. You’re Smarter Than You Think:  A Kid’s Guide to Multiple Intelligences.  Minneapolis, MN:  Free Spirit, 2002.
  • Armstrong, Thomas. The Multiple Intelligences of Reading and Writing:  Making the Words Come Alive.  Alexandria, VA:  Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2003.
  • Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Multiple Intelligences CD-ROM, and Multiple Intelligences Video Series; 1250 N. Pitt St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1453 (800-933-2723).
  • Gardner, Howard. Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York: Basic,1983
  • Gardner, Howard. Multiple Intelligences: The Theory in Practice. New York: Basic, 1993.
  • Gardner, Howard. Intelligence Reframed:  Multiple Intelligences for the 21st Century.  New York:  Basic, 2000.
  • National Professional Resources, 25 South Regent St., Port Chester, NY 10573, 914-937-8879. Producer of several videos on MI including, Howard Gardner, "How Are Kids Smart?" Jo Gusman, "MI and the Second Language Learner", and Thomas Armstrong, Multiple Intelligences: Discovering the Giftedness in All".
  • New City School, Celebrating Multiple Intelligences ( 5209 Waterman Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108).
  • Skylight Publications, 200 E. Wood St., Suite 250, Palatine, IL 60067 (div. Simon and Schuster). Publisher of many MI materials.
  • Zephyr Press, PO Box 66006, Tucson, AZ 85728 (602-322-5090). Publisher of many MI materials.