Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom

1) My greatest Multiple Intelligence is Intrapersonal, followed by Kinesthetic. Some of the core characteristics of a person with strengths in the area of Intrapersonal would be Affective Awareness (knowing ones feelings and viewpoint), Ethical Awareness (having set moral and principle priorities). Some of the core characteristics of a person with strengths in the area of Kinesthetics would be concrete (uses body movement to express ideas and feelings) and task orientated (learns through doing). I think that the Intrapersonal core characteristics all describe me very well (Affective Awareness, Ethical Awareness, Self-Regulation, and Metacognition). I feel like I have a good understanding of myself and who I am striving to be. This influences my learning.

2) Students who are Intrapersonal are comfortable with themselves, can be very opinionated on what they do and do not like, are able to communicate their feelings, tend to make appropriate choices, and use their sense of self to relate to others. These students enjoy expressing themselves and engaging in meaningful conversations where feelings can be expressed. They would really enjoy speaking about their passions or debating things they strongly do not believe in. In the classroom they would be the goal setters and would really enjoy and benefit from reflection time. Another activity that these students would really engage in would be a daily journal activity where they are able to freely think through and express themselves.

3) I would support this type of intelligence by providing time for students to reflect on their work or day by having students right in a journal daily, possibly at the beginning and end of the day for a short period of time. Also allow a time for students to discuss and express their feelings about the current topic being taught/learned in the classroom. Providing choices and differentiated instructions will also greatly benefit these students.

4) Technologies that stimulate this type of intelligence are ones that allow a student to freely express themselves, i.e. journals, diary, class discussions, self-assessment, etc. If the student is able to express his or her thoughts, views, opinions, beliefs, he or she will be able to benefit greatly from the classroom.

5) By being aware of the fact that students all learn differently I can be intentional about teaching in a multiple different fashions so that every student can learn to his or her fullest potential. As a teacher I need to be far on trying to teach equally to all students which means recognizing Multiple Intelligences.