MI+B1+Chapter+13



toc [|Abstract and Synthesis] (Karin)

Abstract
Karin This chapter is about exactly what its title says: "Other Applications of MI Theory." In the rest of the book, we learn a lot about MI theory being incorporated into lesson plans and teaching methods. This chapter is about incorporating MI into computer use, cultural diversity, and career counseling. Computer use is something that is very important in our society, and tailoring it to the student makes it an even more effective strategy. MI theory is something that applies in every culture in the world. The book stresses that career counseling is not something that is set in stone, but suggesting possible careers based on proclivities in certain intelligences can help students to get involved and interested and give them idea of where they might go after school.

Synthesis
Karin Most of the class agreed that the reference to computer technology and MI theory application is a very good idea. It is not something that typically gets mentioned all that often. Many students liked the idea that the computer is not classified as part of the logical/mathematical intelligence. Students in the class agreed that the rich resource of the list of possible ways to reach the intelligences using technology. The class also agreed that the career counseling aspect should be taken lightly and carefully; it is very easy to push some students in the direction you may want for them but they might not want for themselves. However, the idea of career counseling also struck the class as a very good idea that might get students motivated and interested, possibly helping them to want to go to college.

Jen T
Multiple Intelligences would be a good way run a career development class. We only had one career development class, and it sucked. I’m not sure if it sucked because it was just an unorganized class, because it didn’t seem to help any of us students, or because the teacher was a nut. He didn’t ask us for any input on careers we might want to pursue. Using MI to interest students would be helpful I believe.

Rachel B.
This was a seriously short chapter. I guess that's due to the fact that it is titled, Other Applications of Theory, and so much has been covered throughout the text. I found this chapter helpful because of the references to computer technology, something I'm still getting very use to myself. If I could be taught through a specific software that related directly to my unique intelligences I believe that I could be more successful, just as I imagine that students in my classroom will be more successful when lessons are tailored to fit their needs, down to the soft-ware.

Rachel F.
Chapter 13, //Other Applications of MI Theory//, is probably one of the most interesting one that I’ve read yet. From all of the chapters that we’ve already read, we’ve learned a great deal about incorporating MI theory into our lesson plans and into our classroom environment. This is the first chapter that teaches us how to apply MI theory to places other than a unit or environment. Computers are the first application discussed for obvious reasons. Teachers and students alike can use computers in millions of different ways that stimulate all the intelligences. New programs come out every day that use many of the intelligences at the same time. How cool is that! Computers can give students endless opportunities to explore the world. The next topic discussed is cultural diversity which amazed me. I had no idea that all eight intelligences applied to every culture in our world. For some reason I thought it was just an American thing but in order to be an intelligence, it must apply to other cultures. This section of the chapter was my favorite because it completely opened my eyes up to how much further MI theory reaches. The last section was about career counseling. Every career out there targets multiple intelligences with one dominating. For instance, librarians are linguistic careers while scientists are logical. I think it’s important to incorporate career counseling in schools because students are always seeking what they want to be when they grow up. Showing them the MI aspects of careers is an awesome bonus.

Geoff
I am the kind of person who takes great interest in computers and technology, so the part of chapter 13 that I was most interested in was, naturally, computer technology and its application in activating the multiple intelligences. The availability of laptops and other great technologies in schools is growing, and so I am definitely interested in seeing how 1:1 laptops are going to change the traditional classrooms we are all familiar with. The Internet expands our access to volumes and volumes of human knowledge otherwise not accessible within the school’s walls. Along with the Internet, software like iMovie and many others expand our instruction and assessment resources and allow students more options for displaying their knowledge. I find that computer technology and multiple intelligences go hand-in-hand; I will certainly try to make sure they do in my classroom (if those resources are available, of course). I also like the idea of electronic portfolios on rewritable media, and with the large capacity of rewritable DVD’s and the low cost of these disks, electronic portfolios are definitely something I want to include in my future classroom as well.

Courtney
This chapter is just expanding on ways that MI can be incorporated through different applications. The three applications it explains are computer technology, cultural diversity, and career counseling. Computers aren't just for mathematical uses as some would imagine, but can be used to explore all the intelligences in many different ways. There are so many different software programs on a computer that can be linked to any of the intelligences, such as a paint program for spatial intelligence or to make videos which would be bodily-kinesthetic. Just the Internet alone allows for students to search for anything relating to any on of the eight intelligences. Culturally diverse populations may cause problems but if a teacher is to embrace it in the right way then many students can benefit from their diverse classrooms. It is important to know that all cultures use the eight intelligences but use them and value them in different ways. These differences need to be recognized and embraced. As for career counseling the eight intelligences can be used to help students understand what intelligences they like to use more and which they are good in and that can lead them down the road to the right career choice in their future.

Megan
This chapter talked about applying the MI in places outside of the classroom. I like that the chapter talked about using computers. I don’t think teachers realize how computers can appeal to all intelligences. I know I didn’t. I use a word processor all the time and it never occurred to me that this applies to my linguistic intelligence! Now that I think about it I realized that there is so much you can do with a computer! As for career counseling, I don’t know what we don’t do thins in school to begin with. We expect adolescents to figure out what they want to be/do by the time they graduate high school yet we give them no guidance what so ever. If we helped them tap into their interests and figure out what their primary intelligences are then it would be easier for kids when it comes time to apply to colleges. It may even motivate them to apply to college!

Sara
I was surprised to read (I probably shouldn’t be) that computer technology is more then just logical/mathematic. In retrospect I should have realize it can be inter and intra personal depending on its use, as well as spatial (graphics programming) musical (garage band) and even linguistic (see e-books). MI does not support intelligence testing for intelligence, for to be part of an intelligence it must be valued by the culture, and sorry to say identifying inkblots is not exactly valued. Teachers must be careful not to push students into a career path that fits their intelligence; teachers should encourage the exploration of multiple intelligences and allow students to expand their horizons.

Karin
This chapter focuses on just what the title implies – the other applications of MI Theory. One of the topics is computers, and how many are so quick to label it as an element of the logical/mathematical intelligence, which is not true. Computers themselves are actually neutral to the intelligences; it is all in how you use the computer that affects the intelligence that it belongs to. I really like the idea of using computers and multimedia with just slight differences that apply to the different intelligences. I also liked the section on career counseling; the book warns against advising a career too early in life. The book did, however, provide a list of the different professions that are associated with the specific intelligences. This will impact my classroom in many ways. First, I will always have to use multimedia and computers in different ways to suit the needs of my students and their intelligences. Second, I will have to keep all the associated careers in mind in case my students ask me for advice in the future. I won’t pretend to be a career counselor, but from my personal experience as a student, the suggestions of a favorite teacher tend to go further than the suggestion of a guidance counselor.

Jen P.
The figure on page 122 labeled Figure 13.1 thrilled me. It is chock full of ideas, organized for each intelligence. For example, I particularly like the idea of incorporating chess into my classroom (perhaps to demonstrate the strategies of war?) for Spatial Intelligence. The technology ideas provided just asked for more research. I am really curious about the Musical Intelligence technology options. I learned that there are a plethora of technologies out there for the classroom that I have not even begun to try out!

Jordan
I am not what one would necessarily call technologically savvy. So, for me, it is strange to realize that the most useful part of this chapter was about the various ways computers can be used to activate the multiple intelligences. On page 122, Armstrong provides a detailed list of many different types of software that are directed towards each of the eight intelligences. For example: word games for linguistic learners, logic games for logical-mathematical learners, animation programs for spatial learners, and genealogy programs for interpersonal learners. As a future teacher who does not know much about various types of software and how to implement it into the classroom, this laundry list of ideas is great.

Stephanie L.
This chapter of MI provides us with an overview of three other ways that the MI Theory can be applied: computer technology, cultural diversity, and career counseling. I use computers on a very regular basis but I feel like I barely know anything about them. There is so much technology out there that I know nothing about! Because of this, I find the chart on page 122 to be very helpful. It contains a list of how each intelligence can be reached through the use of technology. Such a great resource ; I might have to add it to my list of pages to photocopy. I also like the idea of using multiple intelligences as a way to determine what jobs would work best for certain individuals. I remember taking a test in high school that determined what jobs would work best for me based on my levels of multiple intelligence and interests. Thankfully, teacher was high up on that list.

Chapter 13 addresses the fact that applications of Multiple Intelligence Theory can be useful in many situations. Applications can be seen in, but are obviously not limited to, computer technology, cultural diversity, and career counseling. Although the examples given are a bit outdated, Armstrong's belief is not. He believes that using computer technology allows a student to use a variety of programs that incorporate most or even all of the eight intelligences. He also suggests that educators use Multiple Intelligence Theory as a tool to help incorporate diversity into the classroom. Multiple intelligences are included in the cultural traditions and skills that are passed from generation to generation and although a student may have one particular strong intelligence, Armstrong recommends that educators do not try to become “match makers”. That is, if a student has a strong intelligence, a teacher should not guide that student to thrive by always learning through that intelligence only. Instead, teachers should see the student's potential beyond one strong intelligence, and allow them to explore other intelligences. Teachers should guide the student to be successful in all intelligences.

John
The bit on Mi and computer technology was interesting, but a little bit common knowledge. It would have been easier for Armstrong to simply say, "need to focus on certain intelligences? THE INTERNET." It's true, computers will solve all of the problems that arise from ignoring certain intelligences. After all, eventually computers will BE our intelligences, and we won't have to worry anymore.