Teacher's Understanding Of Intelligence Theory

919 Words4 Pages
Implications of a Teacher’s Understanding of Intelligence on Instructional Practice Curry College Integrated Curriculum Math and Science MED 6060 Meghan Johnson In the educational system of today, there exists urgency for the start of change. It is time to reform our schools through the use of educational models within the classroom. In order acquire a well-managed classroom we must take a look at the variety of classroom models accessible to teachers. Learning theories are one of the foundations of education in the United States. For many years educators have felt the influences of learning theories, one of which being Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. The Model of MI theory, first proposed by Gardner in his 1983 book Frames of Mind, disproves the idea that there is only one way to learn. Mindy L. Kornhaber (as cited in Smith, 2002, 2008), identified a number of reasons why educators have responded positively to Gardner’s MI theory, one being that: …the theory validates educators’ everyday experience: students think and learn in many different ways. It also provides educators with a conceptual framework for organizing and reflecting on curriculum assessment and pedagogical practices. In turn, this reflection has led many educators to develop new approaches that might better meet the needs of the range of learners in their classrooms. (p. 6) In modern classrooms of today, teachers who support MI theory are able to provide students with a multi-facet curriculum to reach the educational needs of all students. In a classroom with twenty-five or more students, the question is, how do we know that everyone is learning to their potential? To answer this question, the teacher is required to know the students, the multiple intelligences and learning styles of each, and plan curriculum accordingly. Armstrong indicated (as cited in Abdallah, 2008)
Open Document