Recently I took Garner's Multiple Intelligences quiz. My results indicated that I am primarily a kinesthetic and an existential learner- I actually scored 80 on each of these two categories. For this posting I will focus on kinesthetic learners, and discuss some of the core characteristics of these types of learners. I will also describe what these types of learners enjoy, and how I can support these students in my classroom. Lastly, I will discuss why it is important to include various types of intelligences in my classroom. My information comes from the surfaquarim website at www.surfaquarium.com.
Some of the core characteristics of students with kinesthetic intelligences are that they tend to be concrete learners. They are also coordinated, task oriented, and sensory learners. As I review these characteristics I recognize that I am task oriented; I learn best by actually doing something. Additionally, I am a sensory learner, meaning that I tend to learn things best through my senses.
Kinesthetic students enjoy hands on projects and learning opportunities. They prefer learning centers instead of seat work, and enjoy interacting with their surroundings. Often they posess strong fine and gross motor skills. These students are not considered hyperactive, although they may appear to be so.
There are various ways that I can support these students in my classroom. I can provide centers, games, drama activities, and music. In addition, I can use manipulatives, and engage my students in hands on activities. It will be essential that I keep these students active throughout the day. There are many technologies that I an incorporate into my instruction such as the computer mouse, levers, pulleys, digital probes, and physical education equipment. These are just a few of the many available resources.
As a teacher of students with various intelligence types, it will be imperative that I adapt my instruction to meet their needs. For example, a kinesthetic learner may require the use of math manipulatives to understand how to subtract, whereas a student with a linguistic intelligence may only understand this concept if they are allowed to write out the problem in words on a sheet of paper. It is important that I get to know my students' learning styles so that I will be able to prepare meaningful differentiation activities in my lesson plans.
Garner's Multiple Intelligences quiz is a great way assess a student's learning preference. I am a kinesthetic learner, and I tend to learn through concrete activities, and my senses. As a teacher I can support kinesthetic learners in my classroom by providing hands on activities, and incorporate many different forms of technologies. It is my hope that teachers everywhere are adapting their instruction to meet the intelligences of all of their students so that everyone has a chance for success.
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With your strong kinesthetic and existential learning characteristics, you will be a great educator. I agree with you that one of the key issues will be to adapt your teaching style to meet the needs of the learners within your classroom. Keeping students actively engaged in the classroom will require multiple teaching strategies. You have a great start at understanding the dynamics of a learning environment.
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