Learning Theories Multiple Intelligences

Learning theories
Multiple intelligences
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 eight different intelligences to account
for a broader range of human potential in children and adults.
Howard Gardner defines intelligence as "the capacity to solve problems or to fashion products that
are valued in one or more cultural setting" (Gardner & Hatch, 1989). According to Gardner, 8
different types of intelligence are displayed by humans.
Multiple intelligence(MI) Teacher:

o Is to consider to what extent and in what way MI theory can be applied in an individual
teaching situation within the realistic constraints of objectives, nature of students, time,
space and resources of the classroom.
o Is not only improving second language abilities of his students but contributes to the overall
development of students intelligences.
o Is to create his own MI profile for using it as a guide to designing and reflecting upon his
experience.
o Is curriculum developer, lesson designer and analyst, activity finder or inventor.
MI Learner:
o Is engaged in a process of personality development.
o Is a successful language learner with development of the whole person?
o Is more well -rounded individual with the awareness of his own intelligence and its
working.
o Is in a better position to benefit from instructional approaches and classroom activities.
MI gives the teachers an insight into:
Understanding the differences among the students, their plus points and their abilities.
Understanding the objectives and aims of their teaching and involving the multiple
intelligences of students in accordance with them.
Understanding and devising activities to help develop not only different intelligences
among students but also develop learning through those intelligences.
Teachers should recognize that students bring with them specific and unique strengths
which should be taken into account in classroom situations. Equal attention should be paid
on individuals who show gifts in intelligences other than linguistic and mathematical.
Teachers are to be trained to present their lessons in a wide variety of ways using music,
cooperative learning, art activities, role play, multimedia, field trips, inner reflection, and
much more.
Teachers can have explicit educational goals but they should be willing and able to
approach them by multiple means keeping in mind multiple intelligences. So that their
students are provided with different entry points to learning and given an opportunity to
demonstrate their abilities.
Teacher should try to address each students mind as directly and personally as possible
and try to identify the activities that they frequently use in their classes and categorize them
to see which ones help develop which types of students intelligences.
Behaviorism
Teachers must learn how to teach ... they need only to be taught more effective ways of teaching.
-B. F. Skinner.
Behaviorism assumes that a learner is essentially passive, responding to environmental stimuli.
Believes that a learner starts out with a clean slate, and behavior is shaped by positive and
negative reinforcement.
Positive reinforcement is the application of a stimulus. Negative reinforcement is the
withdrawal of a stimulus.
Important People in Behaviorism
Ivan Pavlov- Did the experiment with the dogs. Came up with the theory of classical
conditioning.
B.F. Skinner- Developed the theory of operant conditioning. Operant Conditioning is the
use of consequences to modify the occurrence and form of behavior.
John B. Watson- The Little Albert experiment. He gets credit for establishing the
psychological school of behaviorism.
Behaviorism and Teachers
Behaviorism is seen when teachers use the following methods:
a. Testing specific skills.
b. More individual work than group learning.
c. Using positive and negative reinforcement.
d. Give the learner immediate feedback.
e. Break down the task into small steps.
f. Repeat the directions as many times as possible.
g. Work from the simplest to the most complex tasks.
h. Give positive reinforcement.
Behaviorism and Students
Students learn through experiences and practices.
Learning is also modified with positive and negative reinforcements.
Students begin to give predicted responses to a stimulus.
Respond to reinforcement.
Pace themselves in an assignment to work from the most basic to the more
complicated concepts.
Ask questions for more clarity in directions
Ask for feedback
Cognitivism
- Learners construct new ideas based on previous knowledge and experiences.
- Cognitive theory defines learning as a semi-permanent change in mental processes or
associations.
- Cognitivists do not require an outward exhibition of learning, but focus more on the internal
processes and connections that take place during learning or Learning results from internal
mental activity and not from externally imposed stimuli.
Teaching and Learning Under the Cognitivist Theory
- Teachers should create an environment with lots of tools for developing an understanding
of the topic. Teachers should monitor students progress and ask lots of questions. Teachers
should provide use visual and verbal teaching methods. Teachers can read aloud to
students. Using technology, they can provide pictures, videos, and charts to enhance
learning (i.e. computer video clip, topic-related images from the web, etc.)
- Students should think deeply and answer questions about the topic to further develop their
understanding. Failure can be a good thing. It helps the student recognize that they need to
learn more to achieve mastery of the topic.
Piaget, Bloom, Bruner, Ausubel are psychologists focused on different cognitive conditions that
impact on learning. E.g. Jean Piaget Constructed models of child development and the learning
process. Identified 4 developmental stages and the cognitive processes associated with each of
them such as:
Sensory-motor - understands his environment through the basic senses
Intuitive /Pre-operational - Thoughts more flexible, memory and imagination begin to
play a part in learning, capable of more creativity.
Concrete Operational Can go beyond the basic information given, but still dependent
on concrete material and examples to support reasoning
Formal Operational Abstract reasoning becomes increasingly possible
Generally, I think that the cognitivist theory is a great theory to follow when teaching. I think that
is always a good idea to provide different ways of learning. Some students are visual learners and
will do better learning through pictures, videos, or visually looking at a text book. Some students
are audio learners and will do better listening to a lecture, or listening to a teacher read aloud to
them. Some students are audio-visual learners and will do better with either technique!
Constructivism
It is an active process in which learners construct the concept or new ideas based on their
current/ past knowledge.
The learner selects and transforms information, constructs hypothesis and make decision.
Encourage students to discover principles.
hands on experiences of physical objects (manipulative learning of objects)
using models and pictures. (make mental images world by learn with brightly colored
pictures)
Use symbol or numbers to teach

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Learning theories

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