H E N T N E W S

Holistic Education Network of Tasmania, Inc.

Mar 18^th, 2002         Send this email to a friend

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Multiple Intelligences and Learning Styles theories recognize that students are multi-dimensional beings with different ways of experiencing, thinking and learning. Some models categorize or profile possible learning styles or intelligences. Others emphasize that students need to work through a process or cycle, integrating different styles and intelligences - a whole brain approach.

Recently there has been an explosion of different types of models and resources.  So where do you start?  Here is how some Tasmanian teachers have been using them.

WWW Sites

Tapping Into Multiple Intelligences - excellent site with a quick MI test

• As a stimulus to reflecting on how we learn and how we experience the world - enabling better understanding of and response to students.
• broadening teaching strategies to include ones that engage alternative intelligences or learning styles.
• giving students a choice of starting points in activities
• asking students to do online or written learning style or multiple intelligence tests in order that they can understand and control their own learning. Provide information on study strategies for the different styles.
• using ‘whole brain models’ to design activities which guide students through a whole-brain learning process - making the learning process explicit to students.
• changing assessment in order to value diverse styles/intelligences - enabling students to use alternative ways to demonstrate skills and understanding.

"Too often schools skim the surface of information at the expense of knowledge, intelligence, understanding, and wisdom.

 [We need to] balance intuition with intellect, mastery with mystery, and cultivate wisdom over the mere accumulation of facts."

 Tobin Hart 

The benefits to students have been enormous - increased engagement and success, ownership of their own learning as the process becomes explicit, greater appreciation of diversity and increased self-esteem.

When incorporated within a holistic education framework these models become very powerful and enriching as they facilitate transformative growth.

For the classroom...

MI definitions, resources and tests (paper and online)

Learning Styles, resources and tests (paper and online)

   Multiple Intelligences 

• Verbal/Linguistic 
• Logical/Mathematical 
• Visual/Spatial 
• Musical/Rhythmic 
• Interpersonal 
• Intrapersonal 
• Body/Kinesthetic 
• Naturalist 
• Existential

 >>> NEW <<< 

A 9^th intelligence is
being proposed - EXISTENTIAL

It about asking deep questions and experiencing the world and human existence profoundly. 

What does this mean for your classroom?

Have you ever wondered.... 

Educating for Intelligent Belief or Unbelief - Nel Noddings

HENT Web Site and Discussion List

HENT has a comprehensive web site and there is a national discussion list on holistic education hosted by EdNA. 

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