ICT AND MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES

ICT AND MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES

The Hindi film winner of Film Fare Award 2007 Taare Zeeman Par awakens us to the current crisis in our education system. The film is about an eight year old boy Ishaan blessed with fertile imagination and sees fish flying but cannot grasp the difference between B and D. One of his teachers diagnoses Ishaan’s problem as dyslexia. The teacher lets Ishaan bring out his imagination through his paintings, at which he excels. The film inspires us to look at the multiple intelligences proposed by Howard Gardner. Teaching should make the students think out of the box and define their own goals instead of filling their ideas with the existing one. Curricula and assessment should not suffocate the creativity of students.

Today ICT has been a buzz word. It has revolutionized the world. ICT has enhanced the teaching learning process tremendously. ICT has been very effective and efficient in assessing the performance, diagnosing the learning difficulties of students and their remediation. The use of ICT has been very effective in diagnosing the intelligence of the students and developing it. There are number of software programmes available to develop the multiple intelligences.

1. ICT and Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence

Children visually impaired are writing stories on the computer with software that in some cases reads back to the students what they have written. Programmes like "Wings for Learning"/ Sunburst's "Muppet Slate”, "Pine Artist and Creative Writer," make it possible to format writing projects in different shapes, write words in unusual forms and sizes, add accompanying sound effects, and wrap illustrations around the text. Such programs are highly motivating for both beginning and more accomplished writers.

The computer encourages students to revise and rewrite compositions and thus develop greater fluency and a more effective style. When students see their work in professional-looking formats they become more interested in studying. Learning keyboarding in early elementary school today is as important as learning to write with a pencil, and learning to use a word processor is as important for students as learning to type.

Technology offers new communication and learning opportunities to students with multiple handicaps and "different abilities." For example, students who are physically unable to move can talk into a computer that writes as they speak. Others who are able to move but not speak can write on computers that then "say" what was written. There are different software programmes fro differently able persons.

a. For deaf students; Microflip's "Full Talk," LTJ Design's "Wee Talk."

b. For physically-handicapped students: "Smart Keyboards" fit the body shape of their users and are developed by Arjan Khalsa for Unicorn.

c. For blind students: Eduquest's "talking mouse."

d. For hearing-impaired students EduQuest's "Speech Viewer" and "Phone Communicator.

e. For visually-impaired students: EduQuest's "Screen Reader" and "Voice Type“.

2. ICT and Logical-Mathematical Intelligence Logical

Mathematical intelligence can be exercised and developed through many challenging and innovative kinds of multimedia. Edmark's "Millie's Mathhouse“ computer program that introduces number and math concepts to preschool and early elementary children. It is alive with color, sounds, and graphics and works with a touch screen. As they explore and discover, children learn about numbers, shapes, sizes, patterns and problem solving.

IBM's "Modern Solutions" and "Wrinkers" (combination of thinking and writing) offer challenging projects that utilize logic, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation in creating and problem-solving.

Sierra's "Lost Mind of Dr. Brain" (Game) exercises all of the intelligences in challenging puzzles and problem-solving activities.

3. ICT and Kinesthetic Intelligence

Computers rely mostly on eye-hand coordination for their operation--keyboarding and the use of the mouse or touch-screen. This kinesthetic activity reinforces learning and makes the student an active participation in the learning process.

The popularity of video games is due to the total engagement of the player and skillful physical response to the challenges. Some computer simulations enable students to experience events seldom encountered in everyday life. Observing and responding to operation of different body parts, like heart, vehicles or machines provide students with enriched classroom experiences.

4. ICT and Visual-Spatial Intelligence

Slides, overhead transparencies, filmstrips, and movies are important adjuncts to learning. DVD lends active learning in numbers of ways. Rather than running a program from beginning to end, teachers can take advantage of the opportunity to stop, rewind, and replay. Frequent opportunities to discuss what students have already seen and what they are about to see next make possible the anticipatory and participatory learning that are critical to the educational process.

The IVD (interactive videodisc) combines into one system all the different media and delivery options, including lectures, slides, films, video, and computer-based instruction.

Geographic Television (GTV) is currently one of the most recent developments in interactive video for the classroom. Another pioneering educational effort is The National Geographic Kids Network, a telecommunications system that links students throughout the world. Students share information with each other about geography and experiments in science using computer-generated maps and charts.

5. ICT and Musical Intelligence

The Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) can compose and orchestrate many different instruments through the computer. Pyware's "Music Writer" and Activision's "Music Studio" are other examples of software programs.MP3 / MP5, MPEG are widely used in the development of Musical Intelligence.

6. ICT and Interpersonal Intelligence

Current research indicates that when students use computers in pairs or small groups, comprehension and learning are facilitated and accelerated. Positive learning experiences can result as students share discoveries, support each other in solving problems, and work collaboratively on projects.

There are many ways that technology can be used in the classroom to enhance interpersonal skills. Students can be videotaped as they give a presentation or performance. Interpersonal skills can be enhanced through small technology groups in the classroom, as well as through computer networking with students in other classrooms, schools or countries solving environmental, economical or political issues.

7. ICT and Intrapersonal Intelligence

The development of intrapersonal intelligence can be facilitated through the use of technology to explore and expand the human mind. There are different types of aptitude, attitude, personality tests and inventories to know oneself. Students can explore these and know themselves better.

8. ICT and Naturalist Intelligence

Electronic technologies facilitate scientific investigation, exploration, and other natural activities, help students to understand the world beyond their own environment and help them to see how their actions can actually affect their world. Often it is not possible for students to actually explore some sites such as the height of Mount Everest, the cones of active volcanoes. Virtual learning makes such exploration possible. It makes science topics more real.

Conclusion

Electronic technologies have enhanced the development of multiple intelligences immeasurably. ICT has brought Copernicus Revolution in the field of education. It has broken the four-walls of classroom and brought the world into the classroom.