MOTIVATING STUDENTS MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES

Submitted by Grace G. Nezortado on Fri, 03/14/2014 - 16:58
MOTIVATING STUDENT’S MULPTIPLE INTELLIGENCES


I was in a hurry going to my next class in chemistry and I got distracted by an animated conversation of some students chatting under acacia tree. “I don’t know why she’s our rank 1 in class. She’s just good in Mathematics but poor in terms of communication.”
 
I am a teacher who decided to leave my profession just to prove myself that I can do different things from the people’s perspective on my capability. I been working in a BPO company for three years and got promoted as Work Force Specialist but I don’t know why I’m seeing myself in front of students helping them to achieve the dreams that they have. I belong to a teacher who believes that every one of us is intelligent. Though some are not intelligent compare to the other like the class performers, all should be given an equal opportunity to discover their hidden intelligences.

 
 
“An intelligence is the ability to solve problem, or to create products, that are valued within one or more cultural settings” as quoted by Howard Gardner. Each individual were given multiple intelligences which can be measured and strengthened, or ignored and weakened. These are the challenges that teachers should be addressed. Every student has a different learning styles and each should be acknowledge despite of their different culture.


 
 
Gardner named nine intelligences. First is the verbal linguistic which shows students verbal skills and sensitivity to the sounds, meanings and rhythms of words. This is the one that I am weak before but I learned it and continuously working on it. 
 
 
Second is Mathematical – Logical Intelligence which was the ability to think conceptually and abstractly, and capacity to discern logical and numerical patterns. I belong to this category. Maybe because I’m always joining mathematics contest and chess tournament since I’m in elementary until college.
 
 
The ability to produce and appreciate rhythm, pitch and timber are for those possessing a Musical Intelligence. I love music but unfortunately, I don’t know how to sing on tune. Good thing that I know how to read notes and play musical instruments like banduria and clarinet.
 
 
Those who have a capacity to think images and pictures are belong to Visual Spatial Intelligence. Somehow, I have this category since I been joining Modulo Art, drawing and cartooning contests.
 
 
Bodily Kinesthetic Intelligence are those having the ability to control one’s body measurements.
 
 
Those who are given a talent to detect and respond appropriately to the moods, motivation and desires of others posses an interpersonal intelligence. They might be an ideal best friend that we might have.
 
 
The intrapersonal intelligence have a capacity to be self aware and in tune with the inner feelings, values, beliefs and thinking process.
 
 
The ability to recognize and categorize plants, animals, and other objects in nature have a naturalist intelligence. 
 
 
And for those having a sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence such as meaning of life are having existential intelligence.

These intelligence categories proved that there is no unintelligent student. It’s one of the challenges that teacher has especially on molding and addressing multiple intelligences of the students from a diverse culture.

I am thankful with all the teachers especially those helped me to be motivated to unveil my hidden talents. Thanks for them for making me realized that I am intelligent. My coach in chess who believed that I can be a champion; my adviser who taught me to be confident enough in competing for photojournalism and cartooning; my band director who patiently help me to play sounds and music; my English trainers and supervisor who trained me to communicate verbally and helped me to be promoted on what am I right now; and to my first teacher, my parents who believes that I can stand with the intelligences that I possess and pursue my dream using it. I am “she” who’s best in Mathematics but poor in terms of communication but never been distracted by that negative criticisms instead I persevere to show up my talents. Like what Gardner says, “It’s not about how smart you are, it’s about how you are smart”.

As a multiple intelligent learner, you can easily answer the assessment below. Good luck!
 


Let me leave a question before I finish this aticle. From 1-10, how would you rate yourself as an intelligent person? Remember, being honest should be a part of being smart. Feel free to write your article in the comment section below.

About the Author:

GRACE NEZORTADO is currently working as Work force Specialist in Infosys BPO Limited and taking her Masteral Degree in Educational Management at Rizal Technological University. The article was based on her report assigned by Prof. Jensen Manebog, in Advanced Curriculum Development.

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