Multiple Intelligences in the Classroom

1. The multiple intelligence that I have the most strength in is my Intrapersonal skills. There are several major characteristics that describe intrapersonal skills which involve types of awareness. They are aware of how they are feeling and their different views which is classified as affective awareness. They also have ethical awareness. This describes the morals that they value and the guidelines they live by. Another aspect of intrapersonal skills is being in control of their behavior and actions. There is meta-cognition where they are aware of their own thoughts and what factors influence those thoughts. The core characteristics that best describe me and affect my learning style are affective and ethical awareness. Affective awareness fits my learning style and who I am best because I am very in tune with how I feel in situations and my personal views. I am willing to stand up for what I believe in and take a strong stance on an issue that is important. I also enjoy working in groups to collaborate or discuss different opinions on issues. Ethical awareness represents me because I have morals that I value and live by each and every day. I set guidelines for myself to follow to keep myself in check and to accomplish what is important. This fits into my learning style because I set goals that will help improve my learning. I am aware of my weaknesses and I also set goals to continue to improve on those.
2. Students who have intrapersonal intelligence tend to act certain ways and prefer certain things within the classroom. People with these skills are aware of their feelings and can help use those to listen to their instincts. This helps them to make decisions that are appropriate for themselves. This can be witnessed in the classroom as they work in groups or complete projects. They can make decisions that will help them improve and express their knowledge the best. Since they are aware of their own feelings they are able to communicate how they are feeling. Students can express this in the classroom by classroom discussions or activities where they are able to state their opinion on issues. They are also aware of what activities they show strength or limitations in and can continue to improve on those. Above all, they are aware of themselves and have a strong identity of who they are and what is best for them.
3. There are several good ways that teachers can support this type of learning in their classroom and throughout their teaching. One of the major ways to support this learning is having goal sheets for students to use. Allowing them to be aware of what they want to accomplish or continue to work on for each lesson. Teachers can provide students with activities that allow them to make their own choices on how to accomplish an assignment based on their preferences. By providing this, students can pick what best suits them to learn the material. It is also important for teachers to differentiate instruction in their teaching and change up the way lessons are taught. This will allow students to express themselves and learn in different ways. Another important aspect to incorporate in the classroom for intrapersonal intelligences is journal or diary writing on a daily basis. By providing journals to write in students can express how they feel on social issues, personal issues, activities, lessons, and personal goals. It will give them a chance to reflect on how they feel and what they are learning. It will also allow teachers to get to know them better and their opinions. Teachers can also use it to learn about the goals they have set and how they have accomplished them.
4. One of the technologies that are important to intrapersonal intelligences is providing written and online surveys for them to complete. This gives them a chance to reflect on their own thoughts on issues and state their stance. They can also use surveys to learn about other persons feelings on issues. Class discussion is another way that can help support their learning. Giving students the verbal chance to discuss with other classmates how they feel or their opinion on a topic. Providing different learning centers can also help stimulate learning for them and fit into their learning style. This allows them to explore different centers throughout the lesson and be able to learn new things in different ways. Learning centers also allows for teachers to differentiate instruction in the classroom which is important for them. Another way to support learning is to provide activities that allow them to self assess and be apart of the process, instead of the teacher always determining their performance. This way they can be conscious of how they are performing and let them be involved in their own growth in learning.
5. As a teacher, I need to be aware of and pay attention to multiple intelligences to understand my students and their different strengths. I need to incorporate in my teaching style what will fit my students best. It is important to not teach the same way or teach for the same intelligence every time, but instead I need to differentiate instruction. When I teach this way I am able to create an environment for my students to thrive off of and learn the material in the way that best suits them. I can use their differences to create activities that will help motivate learning, and make them more comfortable to express themselves in the classroom. This will also help build enthusiasm to continue to work hard and strive for excellence. The most important thing I can do as a teacher is to create a classroom that incorporates all multiple intelligences.