How technology can help students of various abilities

1. Linking multiple intelligences approaches with
technologies in language classrooms.
By Brinda Surnam

2. What is The Multi Intelligence Theory?
• The pioneer of the Multi intelligence theory,
Howard Gardner, proposed that every human
being has mainly 7 kinds of intelligences, all
equally important.
• Howard Gardener , a psychologist and a
professor of neuroscience has revolutionised
the way intelligences are viewed, how they can
be improved and how they can be measured.
• The brain has many centres and each centre can
be a gateway to acquire knowledge.
• Each human being does not have all the
intelligences in the same proportion.
• Each individual is unique with a unique style of
processing information.

3. What are the Multi intelligences and how do we recognise them in the
learners?
• Verbal/Linguistic: learners think in words; like to read and write; like stories; like to play word games
• Logical/Mathematical: Learners see patterns easily; like abstract ideas; like strategy games and logical
puzzles; work out sums easily in their heads.
• Visual/Spatial: Learners think in images and pictures; easily remember where things have been put; like
drawing, designing, building, daydreaming; read maps and diagrams easily
• Musical/Rhythmic-auditory: Learners often sing, hum, whistle to self; remember melodies; have a good
sense of rhythm; play an instrument; need music on when studying
• Bodily/Kinaesthetic: Learners remember through bodily sensations; find it difficult to sit still for long; are
good at sports or dance or acting or mime; have excellent coordination; communicate well through
gestures; learn best through physical activity, simulation and role play
• Interpersonal: Learners understand people well; learn best by interacting and cooperating with others;
are good at leading and organising; pick up on other people’s feelings; enjoy playing social games
• Intrapersonal/Reflective: Learners like to work alone; are self-motivated; are intuitive; are self-confident;
are aware of personal strengths and weaknesses
•

4. Traditional intelligence V/S Multi Intelligence theory
• Humans have only one type of intelligence.
• This intelligence if fixed and cannot be changed
or improved
• There is only one standardised test to measure
the intelligence of a person (memory , logic and
language) and so,
• All students are taught the same materials.
• Subjects/topics are compartmentalised and
taught in isolation.
• There are 7 types of intelligences, all equally
important.
• Intelligences depends on the person’s behaviour
and beliefs.
• Intelligences can be changed, improved and it
evolves (teachers are very important element in
the process/ brain can improve with use) and so,
• Individualised teaching (with the help of new
technologies) should be carried out for the total
development of the pupils.
• “Teachers structure learning activities around an
issue or question.”

5. What are the new technologies that can be used boost Multi
Intelligences?
New technology refer to audio/visual materials , games and the
hardware and software of the computer system.
Multi
Intelligences
Linguistic/
Open Word
Processing
Logical-
Mathematics/
databases,
spreadsheets
Spatial/compu
ter aided
design, paint
programs, vid
eo games
Musical/interactive
books and
games, video
and audio
recordings,
musical
activities
Bodily-
kinesthetic/,
video
production,
visual field
trips, play
station, WII
games
Interpersonal/
Power
Point, present
ations, blogs,
e-mail
conferencing
Intrapersonal/
concept
mapping, inter
net
research, peer
teaching.

6. The benefits of using technologies in education are:
1. Technology are part of student’s lives- students learn powerfully from technology
outside of the school walls. If technology is introduced in schools’ the students will
learn more. They will be involved in their own learning.
2. Students will gain self confidence as they will work with a tool that they are
familiar with and like.
3. Technology is a non-threatening tool for the students and they associate it with a
play thing rather than an educational tool. While using technology incidental
learning takes place. The Play way method is the best way to learn.
4. Technology is a great motivator and breaks the monotony of chalk and board and
pen and paper in class. It also gives immediate feedback to the students.
5. Technology can cater to all intelligences. It has more possibilities to reach the
different intelligences.
6. Technology is a great equaliser in the classroom- students can learn at their own
pace.
7. Technology helps to differentiate instruction as the latter can be trimmed down or
expanded to suit the students needs.
8. Students get trained to use technology and this will help them later in their
professional lives.

7. How to cater for low ability students with dominant
verbal- linguistic intelligences while teaching languages through technology?
-
Level of students How to use technology? Objectives/Aims
Low Flyers
1. Type a paragraph using MS Word.
2. Use MS Paint - the mouse or tools to write the letters.
3. Use Clip Art
1. Helps to identify alphabets
2. Distinguish between small and capital letters.
3. Identify pictures with words.
Medium Flyers 1. Same as above
2. Use MS Paint to design cards.
3. Allow the students to surf in the Encarta software .
1. Same as above
2. Correct their spelling and punctuation mistakes
3. Help students create individualised cards use words
and even write poems.
4. Students can read by themselves and ask the
teacher if they encounter unknown and difficult
words.
High Flyers
1. Same as above
2. Ask high Flyers to teach peers.
3. Allow the students to surf in the Encarta software .
1. Same as above
2. Reinforce the lesson in the high flyers and instil self
confidence.
3. Students can read by themselves and ask the teacher if
they encounter unknown and difficult words.

8. How to cater for Pre vocational students with dominant
Logical-mathematical Intelligence while teaching languages through
technology?
•
Level of
students
How to use technology? Objectives/Aims
Low Flyers 1. All the above in verbal-linguistic
2. Make them write numbers in words on MS Word.
3. Make them write a short word on MS Word, such as “Castle” and ask
them to use the letters to form 2, 3 4 or 5 letter words. The auto correct
will point out their mistakes.
4. A game called “Search the words” on MS Word . In a table I write
down a number of words, diagonally, horizontally, vertically, from left to
right and vice versa, from top to bottom and vive versa. Fill the empty
spaces with random letters. The words to be searched for is given to the
students. They have to highlight the words they have seen or change the
font colour. The words chosen are words that are familiar to the
students, such as make of cars, milk, cheeses, butter, cartoons, or T.V.
Programs.
1. All the above
2. The drill exercise helps to retain the
words. The program shows the students
when they are making mistakes. And they
can auto correct.
3. They l gain confidence even if accidentally
they will write a correct word. Success will
breed more success. They are interested
in the words they have created and ask for
the meanings..
4. Familiarise them with the alphabets and
take out the fear of writing words.
Medium Flyers 1. Same as above.
2. Make step 4 more complicated by adding longer words and asking the
students to create the above game for the slow learners.
1. All the above.
2. The medium flyers will not only play the
game but also learn to create one. They
will have to search their own set of words,
create the table and arrange the words so
that some words can intersect each other.
The number of letters in each word will be
given to them by the teacher. They can
use their textbook to look for the words.
High Flyers All the above but with more complexity All the above

9. How to cater for Pre vocational students with dominant
Musical Intelligence while teaching languages through technology?
•
Level of learners How to use technology? Objectives/Aims
Low Flyers 1. Use audios /songs to teach the
alphabets The words to appear as the
song progresses (this is usually done on
the board)
2. Use the lyrics of favourite songs to
correct their pronunciations and make
them understand the meaning of the
words. Use audio/ visuals video clips
with the words of the lyrics appearing
below. (This has been successfully done
with the song “We are the world”).
3. After learning the meaning of the song,
they are asked to type it out on MS
Word. Teacher to write down the lyrics
on the board.
4. They can create a personal portfolio of
their favourite songs using Word Art, MS
Word, Paint.
1. This will correct the pronunciation of the
alphabets and also help them to identify
the sound with the letter.
2. Singing is a joy and the students love to
sing and they can try to connect the
words with what they are singing.
3. Typing out the letters and words of the
song, reinforces their ability to type, to
recognise alphabets on the keyboard
and motivates them to learn the words
of the song.
4. Great motivator and encourages
students to learn more songs as they
have to go through the steps to have
their portfolio printed
Medium Flyers 1. Same as above but the medium flyers
learn quicker so more songs can be
given to them as per their choice, to
work on.
1. Same as above
High flyers 1. Same as above.
2. The high flyers are asked to translate a
French song in to English or vice versa
using the translating tool in MS Word.
They can translate a Sega as well.
1. Same as above

10. How to cater for Pre vocational students with dominant
Visual-Spatial intelligence while teaching languages through
technology?
Level of learners How to use technology? Objectives/Aims
Low Flyers 1. Give word s on the board and ask
them to search on clip art.
2. Make greeting cards and write down
the messages with the help of the
teachers or peers on MS Paint.
3. Make a mini word/picture dictionary
on MS Word by copy/pasting pictures
and the names of the objects side by
side, learning to format the pictures
as well.
1. Students connect the pictures with
the words.
2. Give them the confidence that they
can achieve something and at the
same time learn to write simple
words such as “Happy
Birthday/Easter/New Year.
3. Create their own Pictionary and use
the words they have learnt to build
simple sentences on Ms word
Medium flyers 1. Same as above but teacher to give
longer words to match with pictures.
2. Step 2 and 3 to be more complex
according to capability.
1. Same as above.
High Flyers 1. Same as above but teacher to give
longer words to match with pictures.
2. Step 2 and 3 to be more complex
according to capability.
Same as above but sentences to be more
complex.

11. How to cater for Pre vocational students with dominant
Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligences while teaching languages through
technology?
Level of learners How to use technology? Objectives/Aims
Low Flyers 1. Encarta software is used where
there are interactive games .
There are matching exercises with
audio back up that give the
answers
1. The students manipulate the Encarta
software with confidence and can
navigate through it, while learning
new things. They have to type he
address they want to go to, so they
have to learn it first.
Medium Flyers 1. Same as above. Non educational
games are not allowed in the
computer laboratory ,so, to cater
for this intelligence in the school
premises through technology, is
difficult.
1. Same as above
High Flyers 1. Same as above 1. Same as above

12. How to cater for Prevocational students with dominant
Interpersonal intelligences while teaching languages through
technology?
Level of students How to use technology? Objectives/Aims
Low Flyers
This type of students need
to work with their peers.
All the above activities can
be carried out in pairs. The
high flyers can help the
medium and low flyers.
Peer teaching benefits
both the high flyer and the
one s/he is helping. The
teacher has to ensure that
the high flyer is giving he
right information and help.
Medium Flyers
High Flyers

13. How to cater for Prevocational students with dominant
Intrapersonal intelligences while teaching languages through
technology?
Level of students How to use technology? Objectives/Aims
Low flyers The student with this kind
of intelligence performs
better when s/he has to
learn/do something on
her/his own. The student
must be allowed to work
on her/his own on the
computer .
This kind of student is a
loner and does not like to
be crowded. Giving
him/her privacy to work is
one way to motivate the
student. S/he will not call
the teacher for help every
time, so the teacher has to
keep an eye on the pupil.
Medium Flyers
High Flyers

14. Limitations of using technologies in teaching with low ability
students as observed from ground level by teachers
1. The computer is not always available and to carry out these exercises the
classroom should be turned into computer laboratories.
2. Some students break the computer hardware .
3. Appropriate Software is not available.
4. Students are not allowed to use the internet.
5. English is a secondary language for the students, they have to understand the
language when they use the software programs.
6. There is less interaction between the teacher and the students. School is an agent
of socialisation and when the students are with the machines, they become
disconnected with their peers and teachers.

15. Conclusion
• Technology is a powerful tool in the field of education. It can address
many forms of intelligences. The audio/visuals and interactive activities
help the students to learn, understand and retain more. When the
students are on the computer they do not have the impression that they
are learning. This is a tool with which they can play and incidental learning
takes place. The teacher has to ensure that the lessons are couched in play
and competitions.
• However, no single teaching aid or strategy can satisfy all the
requirements of education. Using technology alone is not enough. Other
teaching aids and strategies should be used to boost the intelligence of
the students.
• There is no doubt that the students have to be prepared for their
future, where technology will form an integral part of their lives.

16. References:
• htpp://www.google.mu/imgres?=htpp://
• http://www.flickr.com/photos/amplivoxsoundsystems/6684389269/
• http://www.angelfire.com/de2/dalick/researchMI.htm
• Htpp://www.america-tomorrow.com/ati/nhl80402.htm
• www.applestar.org/capella/Learning%20Styles%20of%20Low%20Literacy%20Learners.doc
• http://www.highlandschoolsvirtualib.org.uk/ltt/multiple intelligence.htm
• Best Practices for At Risk Children/www.sanmarcos.net/ana/bestpractices.html
• www.learningpt.org/pdfs/literacy/disability.pdf

17. THANK YOU