Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom

After taking a multiple intelligence and learning styles test, the highest relevant category returned was that of a naturalist. In order to analyze this learning style in further detail, the website http://surfaquarium.com/MI/profiles/index.htm was consulted.

From this website some core characteristics of a naturalist which best defines me were determined. These included Natural Orientation and Hierarchical Reasoning. These fit my personality in that I assign value to items or situations according to their intrinsic states.

Students who share these characteristics will tend to excel in science classes where naturalism and environmental factors are studied. They will enjoy collecting specimens and organizing them according to physical, organic, or zoological categories. They will learn best by analyzing figures and graphs, and sorting the information into comprehensive systems.

As a teacher, in order to accommodate these students, I would use teaching techniques that included the grouping and sorting of organisms according to their genetic closeness or place on the food chain. Other exercises will include the construction of ecological webs in order to demonstrate the interactions between organisms. In order for these students to reflect on their work, they will develop a portfolio according to different scientific disciplines.

Some of the instruments that the students will use include microscopes, sample boxes, and specimen bins. The students will also be introduced to newer technologies such as genetic databases online.

In order best accommodate students who are naturalists, I will have many lively prints and figures on the walls. As allowed by regulations, there will also be small live animals that exhibit social interactions that can easily be observed. An example would be an ant colony within a thin glass enclosure. There will also be stuffed zoological specimens so that the students can observe outer physiological characteristics up close.

Because not all students share my method of learning, other teaching strategies will be employed. These will include more hands on experiments, discussion groups, and independent work.