Topic 12: Technology Across the Senses

Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences provides information to teachers about the cognitive aspect of a student's learning. Gardner has developed a theory that children are born with multiple intelligences, or optimal ways of learning, however as they enter your classroom you should identify which intelligence is their strength to build upon for optimal learning. It is important for teachers to identify this and focus lessons on delivering the content through that intelligence.

I would say that I am personally a visual and kinesthetic learner. I am able to learn and retain much more information by seeing representations of it or by actually being able to manipulate it myself. I am the type of person that needs to actually perform a task before it is retained in my memory. A good example of this is when I am given directions. If a person verbally tells me directions to a destination I would get SO lost. However, if I am able to see a map or GPS I can remember every turn by easily thinking back to the picture of the map in my mind. Also, once I have driven to a place I will remember how to go back there again from experience.

Looking at my lessons plans in teaching, I would say that my instruction is usually centered around Visual or Interpersonal learning. The biggest reason for this is because of my class website. I have incorporated a blog which allows for class discussions even from the student's homes. I also believe this would constitute as visual for the students to see and observe that various amounts of information and links that I compile for them on each page. Here is a link to my class website so that you can see: http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/ACheatham/

My objectives for the lesson plan are for students to identify important components of a story, analyze these, and synthesize them into a summary. Based on Gardner's theory here are some ideas of activities to incorporate technology in the lesson: