The Treasure Trove 

Here we are again, back at the place that leads you to other places. As you know, the theme of this newsletter is  

• #Multiple Intelligences (MI) 
• #Learning Styles 
• #Alternative Assessment 
• #TPR & TPRS 

Don't forget to send in your own recommendations for the next ETNI Newsletter. All you have to do is fill out a form at the ETNI website: 

http://www.w-angle.galil.k12.il/red/etninews/submit/url.htm 

The more recommendations we get, the better this newsletter feature will be. So pitch in there. If you got to this site, that means you are using the internet, and if that's the case, please share your own expertise with your colleagues. 

Here are those sites you've been waiting for: 

Multiple Intelligences (MI) 

MI Theory - If you're the kind of person who likes to read all about it before you jump in--examine the theory, read the research and digest the topic--then your preferred learning styles include the logical-mathematical. Here's a good place to begin. 

http://www.scbe.on.ca/mit/mi.htm  

At this prestigious site (MIT no less) you will find  
• Definitions - Exactly what is meant by MI
• Implications for Teachers & Students of the multiplicity of intelligences as opposed to the old way of measuring intelligence, the IQ test.
• Characteristics (of an "intelligence") & Behaviours (that reflect this kind of "intelligence)
• Generic Forms 
• Identifying MI in your students 
• Common Classroom strategies 
• Curriculum references 
• Students Responses to text, images, sound, etc 
• Resources 

http://www.the-bac.edu/wake/intellig/  

A review of Howard Gardener's new book called "Intelligence: Multiple Perspectives, Frames of Mind." The reviewer gives the full table of contents of the book plus clear and concise summaries of each chapter.  
 

Another place to start is: 

http://users.mwci.net/~sauer/mitheory.htm  

MI Research - a compilation of resources on the eight intelligences.  

You can find anything from general information dealing with Gardener's theoretical framework to specific information on how to utilize these theories in the classroom. To find out even more about the seven intelligences (In consequent papers, Gardener adds an eighth intelligence - Naturalistic intelligence), the site includes listings for: 

• Eric Documents
• Journal Articles
• Reviews and Commentaries
• Books - A not too long list of very relevant books and articles on the subject that cover the main things you'd want to know without becoming overwhelmed. One-paragraph, summaries are given to help you prioritize your reading.

The course is given on-line, FOR FREE, by an organization called SNOW (Special Needs Opportunities Windows - a Canadian educational body ). You take your time reading the material, and you can discuss it, ask questions, and see what others in the course have to say, by reading the postings on a bulletin board which is part of the course. Naturally, you can post your own comments and questions for others to respond to as well. Although this particular course is over and the interactive part is frozen, you can still see what it's like. I'm sure the course will be given again if there's a demand. Here's the URL and a description of the course: 

http://snow.utoronto.ca/courses.html  

"This free, three-week, on-line workshop will introduce participants to the key principles of the "Multiple Intelligences Theory". The purpose is to assist educators in understanding their attitudes toward the idea of "intelligence" and exploring the ways in which a wider family of intelligences can be recognized and encouraged. The forum discussions will focus on classroom applications of the idea of Multiple Intelligences for students with special needs. This online workshop is intended to be self-paced and self-directed. Most participants can expect to spend 1 -2 hours per week reading the material provided, and participating in the bulletin board discussions which are integral to our shared learning."

http://users.mwci.net/~sauer/chat.htm 

Let's Talk Multiple Intelligences - CHAT  

You can also get a free home page and a very easy-to-use chat program from this page. No need even to download a chat client (special program for doing chat).  This page is for connecting people who are interested in MI theory and pedagogy. While the page is still under construction, in the future, meeting times will be set when people can plan to have a wider discussion. Times and dates will be announced. 

Times now set are 12:30PM Central Standard Time = 8:30 AM (right now) Israel time, if i'm not mistaken, and that makes it pretty convenient, if you are linked up from school or work.

http://users.mwci.net/~sauer/def.htm  

Pedagogical Applications of MI theory 
This page includes brief introductions as to how each intelligence might interact in K-12 and language learning classrooms. There is also a short list of some possible activities, and an excellent reference to a book on the subject.

http://users.mwci.net/~sauer/miass.htm 

Interactive MI questionnaire 
Remember that Gardener's MI theory emphasizes the complex relationship of each intelligence to others in an individual's profile. Every person is strong in at least one and often more than one intelligence.  

After completing the questionnaire the first time and determining your dominant intelligence, go back to question 1 and proceed with your second choice to explore other strong intelligences you have.

http://www.firn.edu/~face/about/dec95/mult_int.html  

Multiple Intelligences and Technology 
Gives a very brief description of the 8 intelligences and suggests technological applications that are attractive to each learning style. You'll get thinking in the right direction, and maybe start to understand why not all of your students like all the computer activities you are offering, how to vary your choice of computer materials, etc. 

http://www.skeptic.com/03.3.fm-sternberg-interview.html 

Gardener isn't the only authority on Multiple Intelligence. To get a more rounded view of the subject, you should also read this interview with Robert Sternberg, discussing Herrnstein & Murray's book, "The Bell Curve", who has his own theory of MI which he calls Triarchic Theory of Intelligence. In his view, the Triarchic Theory does not disprove either Gardener or his earlier Componential Theory, but rather subsumes them under a larger framework. See also in this issue. 

Learning Styles 

Learning styles are closely bound up with MI, and this site reflects their interrelationship. 

http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/~ggay/lstylstd.htm 

A very good place to start your investigation of this topic  

• LS Information
• LS Tests
• Resources for teachers 
• Mind Tools 
• Memory Techniques - How Your Learning Style Affects Your Use of Mnemonics
• What are learning styles?
• Learning Strategies 
• Various types of learning style inventories, teaching others to learn for themselves. 
• Assumption underlying learning styles, children and adult learning styles, inventories, questionnaires, and publications
• About learning styles and metacognition. 
• Motivation and Emotion - Learn how motivation and emotion affect how you learn. 
• Personality - Learn how your personality affects how you learn. 
• Honors 96: projects (learning styles projects) Innovative, analytic, practical, and dynamic learners, an example of a student's assessment of his own learning style 
• Discovering your learning style 
• Create your own learning styles test, learn what kind of learner you are. 
• Using your learning style for language learning. 

• SCBE Multiple Intelligence Homepage An excellent site to Learn about MI for students and teachers. 
• Multiple Intelligences Lesson Ideas -suggestions for lesson plans to utilize multiple intelligences
• Learn about how MI will change how think about education and learning and what constitutes intelligence. 
• Learn about the creator of the theory Howard Gardener, and Harvard's Project Zero
• BC EST - Special Education Branch Guide for teachers. The nine learning preferences
• Developing student profiles. 
• A list of references.

There is so much material on this subject that I won't even try to give a representative collection of sites after loading you with all the MI data. However, if you want to get your foot in the door, a not-too-overwhelming place to start might be:  

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/as0cont.htm 

Assessment - A short list of links:

• Ensuring Equity with Alternative Assessments 
• Rethinking Assessment and Its Role in Supporting Educational Reform 
• Integrating Assessment and Instruction in Ways That Support Learning - Includes a whole section of examples of programs that use alternative assessment
• Reporting Assessment Results 
• Assessing Young Children's Progress Appropriately

http://www.nwrel.org/eval/toolkit/traits/ - 
Assessment Tool kits 
• a lovely set of criteria for assessing writing 
• Alternative & Portfolio assessment search results - includes some such as: 
• Alternative Assessment: Portfolios from the Inside Out

http://www.tpr-world.com/ 

"Language teachers for years have relied on Total Physical Response (TPR) as the most effective method for long-term retention of vocabulary. Popularized in the 60's and 70's by Dr. James Asher, TPR allows students to acquire vocabulary in a manner similar to how a child learns his or her first language. All language input is immediately comprehensible, often hands-on, and allows students to pass through a silent period whereby they build a comprehension base before ever being asked to speak. Once language is internalized, production emerges, thus setting TPR apart from traditional "listen-and-repeat" methods.  

In a TPR lesson, teachers model actions which students then mimic as they simultaneously hear vocabulary words and commands in the target language. As a particular action is associated with each vocabulary word or phrase, students rapidly and naturally acquire language while establishing long-lasting associations between the brain and the muscles. Students who learn language via TPR will not soon forget it" (Valery Marsh)

This site is Dr. James A. Asher's (TPR's originator) home page for TPR. There's a lot of hype here, but you can see what TPR is all about, including the types of materials that are used in this method.  In particular, I would suggest that you read his article entitled "The Case Against Algebra". This is both an enlightening and thought-provoking commentary on what and why we teach our children what we do, and the effect it has on them.

Here Valery Marsh discusses the limitations of TPR and proposes a next step theory TPRS - Total Physical Response Storytelling. The article is written in a very easily understood way, with numerous concrete examples, and even pictures and drawings, to help you visualize what is done and serve as a model for your own stories. 

Anyone who teaches very weak students or beginners should certainly learn about this great resource and add it to his bag of teaching tools.

TOTAL PHYSICAL RESPONSE: GENERAL PRINCIPLES (Adapted from: Seeley, C., & Romijn, E. (1996). TPR is More than Commands -At all Levels. Berkeley, CA: Command Performance Language Institute.)  

This is a brief and very helpful list of characteristics and examples of the TPR system. Worthwhile starting here if your schedule doesn't permit an in-depth study.

Frequently Asked questions about TPR - very helpful for dispelling misconceptions about the subject. It starts with the very relevant question: Where's the grammar? and goes on to deal with questions of method and classroom management, testing an correction of student errors. If you are skeptical about the method, this is a good place to go to see how the things that are bothering you have been worked out by others. 
 
 

OK Readers, that's it for now. I'm sure you've all been wondering how to constructively fill up all that time that will be dragging on you from July to September.  

Have a wonderful, restful and refreshing holiday. 

Renee Wahl