ILT 3210_3220: Webinar in Science / Technology Education

Activity 3: Learning Theories and Creation of Cartoons on Science and Technology

Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences theory

Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences

Miss Lina and Mrs Sonia work at ABCD Government School. They are both

following a course at the Mauritius Institute of Education. Because she was ill

Mrs. Sonia was unable to attend the last session. Back to school on the other day

she is now asking her colleague what was done during the session she missed.

I was sick yesterday and

missed the class at the MIE.

What was it about?

It was about Howard Gardner’s Multiple intelligence

Theory and how it applies to us as primary school

teachers. there are different types of intelligences

according to this theory. Our goal should be to teach in

a variety of methods and provide different learning

experiences to the children. Each pupil deserves to

learn through his/her area of strength

A conversation between Mrs Sonia and Miss Lina where the later explains the lesson of the

previous day’s course at the MIE, i.e. the Principles of Howard Gardner’s Multiple

Intelligences

Much easier said than

done. Lets try this

approach in the science

animals’ lesson

Mrs. Sonia finds this teaching approach interesting and decides to apply it to

her science lesson on animals

Topic: Animals

Objectives: at the end of

the lesson you should be

able to:

• name some animals

• list the characteristics

of different animals

Mrs. Sonia introduces the lesson and lesson objectives to the pupils.

You made a

nice picture

Tania.

Visual: visual learner makes a poster of animal pictures.

Thank you Ali, this

is my favourite

bird.

Spatial: The teacher use an overhead projector to make shadows of different

animals with her hand and ask the children to identify the shadows.

It’s a rabbit.

Linguistic:A pupil writes a poem based on the animal theme and reads it herself

At the zoo,

I saw a turtle

It swam in the puddle

I saw a lion in a cage

It was in an awful rage

I saw a kangaroo

I thought there were two

But my favoufite animal at the zoo,

Is the monkey,

How about you?

Musical: Play an animal song and ask the pupils to identify the animals mentioned in the song.

Body/Kinesthetic: Children make the sounds and moves of different animals.

I am a cat.

I am a kangaroo.We are birds.

Math: Pupils make a graph of animals and their estimated numbers based on Wildlife

Foundation figures

Logic/Problem-Solving: Have children make a list of endangered species and explain the reasons

why there are fewer animals than other species.

Some endangered

species of Mauritius are:

The Echo Parakeet

The Pink Pigeon

The Mauritius Kestrel

Interpersonal (Team): Pupils working in group to make their animal book.

Intrapersonal (Self):Write a letter to Mauritius Wildlife Foundation for information on

endangered species around the island.

Naturalistic: The teacher takes her class on a fieldtrip to Casela Bird Park

These are

Aras.

They are so

beautiful..

The teacher talks about her experience of using this particular model in her teaching

Teachers interested in implementing multiple

intelligences in their curricula have a variety of

options. Don't feel bad if it doesn't come easily

right away. It's not always easy to make changes.

With an understanding of Gardner's theory of

multiple intelligences, teachers can better

understand the learners in their midst. They can

allow students to safely explore and learn in many

ways, and they can help students direct their own

learning. They can also help students understand

and appreciate their strengths, and identify real-

world activities that will stimulate more learning.

Thank you for watching.