|
• "Human beings have at least 19 senses, not five. And, not surprisingly, there is a direct correlation between the number of senses activated and the amount and locations of brain activity. Quite simply, the greater the range of sensory input, the greater the physiological activity and growth in the brain. The result is more learning and a greater likelihood that such learning will be retained in long-term memory." (Obviously, multimedia involves more of the senses than passive seatwork, lecture, textbooks and worksheets.) Kovalik, Susan and Olsen, Karen D. (2001) Exceeding Expectations: A User's Guide to Implementing Brain Research in the Classroom. Covington, WA: Books for Educators, Inc., page 1.9. • "According to Howard Gardner, everyone possesses at least seven intelligences (see below) and each person’s blend of competencies produces a unique cognitive profile… It is our responsibility as educators to find each students’ particular way of learning… Unfortunately, in today’s classroom, so many (at-risk) students are not learning… This is due to the focus in our schools on two intelligences- verbal/linguistic and logical/mathematical. We are not teaching to all of the intelligences, areas in which these students have special abilities." Chapman, Carolyn. (1993) If the Shoe Fits-How to Develop Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom. Arlington Heights, Illinois: IRI/Skylight Publishing. (page ix) "My analysis suggested that rather than one or two intelligences, all human beings have several (eight) intelligences. What makes life interesting, however, is that we don't have the same strength in each intelligence area, and we don't have the same amalgam of intelligences. Just as we look different from one another and have different kinds of personalities, we also have different kinds of minds. This premise has very serious educational implications. If we treat everybody as if they are the same, we're catering to one profile of intelligence, the language-logic profile. It's great if you have that profile, but it's not great for the vast majority of human beings who do not have that particular profile of intelligence." (Howard Gardner) Whenever you design learning opportunities that draw from students’ preferred learning styles, you empower them in a way that boosts self-esteem, increases time on task and makes learning more memorable. Every child is different and when we try to force all children into the same learning mode and expect them to create the same cookie-cutter products, we unfairly smother their natural tendencies to learn, create and invent. "Of Chickens and Projects," written by Henry Olds, underscores this belief in a charming, but effective storybook tale. Education World’s Curriculum article, "Multiple Intelligences: It's Not How Smart You Are, It's How You're Smart!" links you as deep as you would like to go on the topic. |