Theory of Multiple Intelligences by
Howard Gardner
Howard
Gardner introduced the theory of multiple intelligences in his book Frames of
Mind in the year 1983. He developed his theory though his intensive work as
neurologist. According to Gardner, intelligence refers to the ability to solve
problems and create solutions. He believed that they were eight way of knowing.
In 2009, Gardner included existential intelligence as the ninth intelligence.
Since individuals learn, apply and represent knowledge in different ways,
Gardner opined that a teacher should use different methodologies to teach a
subject.
Gamification of education
Gamification
of education is a way of using game based elements in classrooms to increase
engagement, interest and promote learning. It can be using video games for
learning or just aspects of games such as giving rewards, dividing the content
into levels, giving students choices in various paths they can take (just like
in video games) in terms of choosing type of assignment they want to do, team
playing activities in class which will also gain points, etc.
There can
also be themes given to your classroom and roles/avatars to each student which
creates an alternative reality for students to indulge in- eg. "Pirates
exploring the sea of knowledge" or "Harry Potter themed classes with
activities related to learning". It is all customisable according to the
resources that are available with you.
Links for
further study and an example of implementation are available below-
https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/educational-technologies/all/gamification-and-game-based-learning
Mindsets and role of teachers
Mindsets are
perceptions about one’s intelligence and when students believe they can mould
their intelligence or abilities, they put
more effort which leads to better achievement. As teachers, how we can
mould their mindsets, by educating them about the neuroplasticity of the brain
is very relevant. As an educator, our mindset also affects the student’s
learning and the mindsets we instil in them. Dr.Carol Dweck has done extensive
research in this area and the link below throws more light on it.
Building Positive Classrooms and
Student Character
Area of
Interest: Understanding the influence of CLASSROOM ATMOSPHERE on students and
their overall learning has always fascinated me. While pursuing a certificate
course on Building Positive Classrooms and Character Strengths on “Coursera”,
we were asked to take a survey to identify our Character Strength Profile and
also rank the character strengths we would wish for our students to have.
Having an idea of our character strengths can enable us to be more productive
in our work, satisfied in our endeavours and passionate towards our field of
interests.
SOURCE:
Link:
https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths
The VIA
(Value in Action) Institute on Character has designed a survey questionnaire to
identify an individual’s character strength profile. This study on Character
Strengths which is conducted by the VIA states that “Every individual has all
the 24-character strengths in varied degrees, giving each person a unique
character profile. Individual Character strength profiles can be discovered by
taking the scientifically tested VIA survey.
Link:
https://www.viacharacter.org/about
The VIA
(Value in Action) Institute on Character (based in Cincinnati, Ohio) is a
non-profit organization that works towards bringing the science of character
strengths to the world. It creates courses, surveys and resources for
professionals that helps them build their character strengths. Their mission
statement says it all -
“The VIA
Institute on Character helps people change their lives by tapping into the
power of their own greatest strengths.”
Discovery Learning
The teacher plays roll of
facilitator in this method. Discovery Learning makes the students independent
learner with the challenge of finding solution to the problem using critical
rational skill. I would like to share few method to implement in the classroom
and I believe it works if you are interested give a try to carry this activity
in your classroom. 1.warm up exercises to create mood of learning in the
student. 2. Twenty question is excellent warm up activity - this activity like
the riddle game where students figure the answer by asking question to teacher
only yes/no question. 3. Public interview to the student with topic in the
class. 4. Incomplete sentence provided to complete individuals or group Ex: The
one thing that I want accomplish.... 4. Class meeting among teacher and the
student. 5. The teacher could call randomly any student to answer then follows
chain method to get different answers.
All
for sport-sports for all
School a
place, a home for development, creativity, knowledge and power. A place where
pupils come together to learn, play and live together.
Decathlon a
sports brand that manufacturers sports wear, clothes and equipment for the
development of sports and sportsmenship in people.
It's main
aim is to make sports sustainably available to many.
It's goal by
2030 is to connect, inspire, explore, co-writing, live everyday.
There are a
lot of inspirational videos made but this one touched me the most. 'It's about
a group of students in Africa, wanting to play football they never could
purchase a football. As a part of exploring, decathlon identified the interest
of students and have made the products at an affordable price and have
encouraged students to play what they love'.
Decathlon
has conducts events and progress in schools to encourage and motivate students.
Decathlon is a home and it is where it has always wanted to be. Decathlon also
looks towards the nature, the environment to make it safe and preserve the
world for the coming youth.
Decathlon is
a dream come true to make sports for all.
Links:
https://www.decathlonvision2030.com
https://youtu.be/LwfBo-iuxQE
Sustainable
School
In today's
world the need of the hour is to meet the goals of sustainable development and
here is a school called Green School in
Bali modelling to all on how these goals can be achieved. Some of their
initiatives are using solar energy and it is the only school in the world to
use micro hydro power as their energy sources. They also have implemented a
challenging initiative of having dry pit toilets where they compost human
waste. The students are exposed to sustainability where the young minds have
come up with ideas like seeing their country free from plastic bags and school
bus running on bio fuel for transportation. In this way the school and the
students together work towards sustainability where the students are given a
sense of civic responsibility alongside creating love for nature.
Individualised
Education Plan (IEP)
In times where parents expect the best guidance and coaching
for their wards from schools, IEPs are a great way to reach out to students
with special needs. When we talk about inclusion in a school setting parents
and other care givers play equally important roles in designing learning
outcomes for students. IEP s are plans that are constructed in collaboration
with parents who are very much aware of their child's specific needs and can
contribute immensely in the learning process. Like a knowledge base is
essential to build on for complex
topics, similarly IEP s also require inputs from parents regarding the existing
skills of students and individual outcomes that need to be met after the plan
is implemented.
Stages in developing an IEP are:
Gathering and sharing information
Setting direction
Developing and writing the IEP
Implementing and reviewing the IEP
The
following link contains an anatomy of an IEP:
Role of School Counsellors
Earlier in
my school days, we did not have a counsellor as such. Teachers would solve
problems if there were any. But nowadays it has become the need of the hour to
have counsellors in schools or any educational institutions. This is because of
the various problems and issues that have increased among the students. It
could be due to various reasons such as conflicts among friends, relationship
problems, conflict with parents and so on. The duties of a counsellor does not
limit to just solving problems. The
counsellor helps the students identify
their problems and help them work towards coming out of it. The counsellor also
helps in reinforcing the students with a positive outlook and also give them
career guidance and help them achieve greater academic excellence. The counsellor
along with the teachers and parents help the students to bring out the best and
help them utilize their potential and become more systematic in life so as to
become well adjusted and productive individuals in the community.
Brain-based learning
Brain-based
learning is a new perspective in teaching and learning which is based on the
usage of technology and knowledge of the brain and is functions in order to get
the maximum outcome from the student in educational institutions. In this
theory,it unites knowledge of neuroscience,psychology and education with the
objective to optimize the teaching and learning process.
