how are they smart? multiple intelligences and the religious education classroom
TRANSCRIPT
How are they smart?
Multiple Intelligences and the Religious Education Classroom
Ask yourself:
• How did you learn the alphabet?• How did you learn to drive?• Can you describe a spiral staircase?• Say a few things about winter.• Hold your breath for one minute
without looking at a watch or clock.• Recite one verse of a poem.
What is this all about?
• Gardner’s theory: Frames of Mind, 1983
• Definition of Intelligence• The Great 8• Figuring it out• Using what we know
Gardner’s theory:
• All persons possess the capability of learning and knowing in one or several of eight modes.
Definitions of Intelligence
• Capability of being encoded in symbols
• Cultural value(or NOT)
• Set of developmental trajectories
• Own set of brain structures independent of others
• Existence of savants
The Eight Intelligences
• Linguistic• Mathematical/
logical• Musical• Bodily-Kinesthetic
• Interpersonal• Intrapersonal• Spatial• Naturalist
Linguistic
• Ability to think in words:– Preference for
reading– Word games– Puns– Thinking in words– Writing prayers,
reading stories, scripture
Mathematical
• Ability to quantify– Prefer to think in
numbers, measures– Prefer order,
sequence– Need logic– Like to compare– Order of the Mass,
numbers in Scripture
Musical
• Ability to associate with music, rhythm– Like to listen to
music– Prefer rhythm,
rhyme– Remember when
asso-ciated with melody
Bodily-Kinesthetic
• Ability to make meaning out of motion– Prefer to act out ideas– Need to move to
learn– Prefer active learning– Postures of prayer,
the Mass, liturgical movement
Interpersonal
• Ability to relate– Prefer to talk out
ideas– Prefer cooperative
learning– Need to relate
learning– Shared prayer,
Bible discussion, planning prayer services
Intrapersonal
• Ability to consult oneself– Prefer working alone– Like to imagine– Like to journal, do
introspective writing– Personal, quiet
prayer, retreats, prayer journals
Spatial
• Ability to illustrate– Prefer looking at
pictures, maps, graphs
– Like to doodle– Prefer drawing to
writing– Iconongraphy,
artistic prayer, study of sacred art, architecture
Naturalist
• Loves the outdoors– Prefers working with
nature– Likes to work with
animals, plants– Sensitive to
climate/weather– Setting up
environment for prayer, outdoor prayer
What Intelligence(s) appeal to you?
How do you like to learn?How do you like to spend your free time?How do you teach?How do you pray?
Teaching with MI
• How can I match MI with students?• What learning activities can I use
to appeal to MI learning?• How can I assess with MI?• What strategies can I use to
manage the classroom with MI?
Finally:
• Remember: if the only tool you have is a hammer, then everything looks like a nail.