There are several theories on how people learn and when Howard Gardner wrote on multiple intelligence in 1983, he too was showing the world how people learn. How people learn best has to do with a number of factors. In other words, a number of conditions must first be right for someone to learn to the best of his /her ability. One can learn best when:
the learning environment is right, the delivery of lesson suits the learner's learning style, the mindset of the teacher and learner are right,when the lessons are scheduled properly, and the learner is well fed, he has the right aptitude and information is presented in proper dosage.
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Lawrence,
ReplyDeleteI agree, there are conditions that must be met for optimal learning to occur. Differentiated instruction (DI) is a great framework to create those conditions. It provides varied instructional strategies and activities for diverse learning styles. DI can address Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences int the classroom in a powerful and practical way.
Several instruments exist to asses learning style (Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Survey, Steinberg’s Triachic, Student Interest Survey). I am wondering what frameworks or instruments exist that can help up assess conditions in the learning environment?
The myriad factors you mention highlight the challenge in being a teacher. It also points out the difficulty in drawing metaphors for educators. No matter what metaphor you draw, they always fall a bit short of the assorted skills a teacher needs to coax optimal learning form their students.
Scott
Thanks Scott. You have provided some serious food for thought. Maybe educational technology will fill in that skills gap for modern teachers.It may be part of the fourth wave.
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