APPLICATION OF ACCELERATED LEARNING TECHNIQUES WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES by HESTER CATHARINA PIENAAR Submitted in the fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF EDUCATION in the subject DIDACTICS at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: PROF M.M. NIEMAN JOINT SUPERVISOR: PROF G.D. KAMPER MARCH 2008 I declare that APPLICATION OF ACCELERATED LEARNING TECHNIQUES WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. ____________________ ___________ MRS HC PIENAAR DATE ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to express my sincere appreciation and gratitude to everyone who supported me to complete this study. I particularly want to acknowledge the following people: • Professor G.D. Kamper who paved the way for RPL and supported all my efforts to subsequently complete this study. • Professor M.M. Nieman who would not accept quitting as an option and who played a pivotal role in my completion of the study. • The teaching staff at Prestige College as well as my personal assistant, Elize Liebenberg, who gave me their full support in a demanding environment coping with all the new ideas and expectations. • The grade 8a class of 2004 who opened up a whole new perspective in learning for the whole school. I will follow the wellbeing, performance and progress of these learners with great interest in the years to come. • The Board of Directors at Prestige College who afforded me the opportunity to develop myself but also to attend the bi-annual Principals’ Conferences in countries where it was presented. They also made it possible for me to visit the New City School in America which contributed greatly to my vision of Multiple Intelligences in this school and country. • I was privileged to have had the opportunity to retreat to the farm of my aunt, Ta-An, at times when I had to work without disturbance or any other responsibility. • I am particularly thankful to my husband Robby and my two daughters Carina and Rozelda who gave me space for the times I had to focus on my studies and who supported me in many ways. I have been blessed in many ways and it is with gratitude that I thank God for His Grace in my life, without which nothing would have been possible. iii SUMMARY The aim of this study was to determine the possible successes and pitfalls in implementing a process to accelerate learning and raise learner performance through a multiple intelligence approach. A study of the theory of Multiple Intelligences was conducted which also implied a thorough study of the physiology of the brain, how it learns and how it should be utilised in the classroom. A case study was conducted amongst the learners and teachers of a specific school to determine their ability, willingness to change and their performance in the application of Multiple Intelligences in the classroom. The challenges associated with the implementation of the MI approach were established through different methods. It was found that teachers have much more difficulty in adapting to a new teaching approach than the learners. Time constraints, constant monitoring and support, teacher training, teachers’ attitude to change, big classes, a lack of resources and teacher resistance added to the reality which policy makers have to consider in implementing a new approach. Key terms: Multiple intelligences; linguistic intelligence; bodily-kinesthetic intelligence; musical intelligence; intrapersonal intelligence; interpersonal intelligence; naturalist intelligence; emotional intelligence; logical-mathematical intelligence; brain-based learning; accelerated learning; multiple intelligence approach to teaching iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 General orientation 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Focus on the brain 3 1.3 Accelerated learning and multiple intelligences 5 1.4 The successful implementation of accelerated learning by means of MI 7 1.5 The relationship between MI and outcomes based education (OBE) 8 1.6 Current problems in education and the need for a better teaching approach 10 1.7 Research rationale 12 1.8 Problem statement 14 1.9 Research aims 14 1.10 Research design 15 1.10.1 Research participants in the study 16 1.10.2 Research methods 18 1.11 Chapter division 19 Chapter 2 The application of accelerated learning techniques with special reference to multiple intelligences: A theoretical exposition 2.1 Introduction 20 2.2 Intelligence defined 20 2.3 Theories of intelligence 22 2.3.1 The theory of intelligence as intelligent quotient (IQ) 22 2.3.2 The theory of emotional intelligence 23 v 2.3.3 Intelligence as the “g” factor 25 2.3.4 The Triarchic theory of human intelligence 25 2.3.5 Intelligence theory as seven or more distinct factors 25 2.4 Concerns about intelligence measurement 26 2.5 Accelerated learning 28 2.6 The theory of multiple intelligences 30 2.6.1 Background 30 2.6.2 Gardners’ view of intelligence 31 2.6.3 Criteria that an intelligence has to meet 31 2.6.4 The eight intelligences 35 2.6.4.1 Linguistic intelligence 35 2.6.4.2 Logical-mathematical intelligence 39 2.6.4.3 The musical intelligence 44 2.6.4.4 Spatial intelligence 49 2.6.4.5 Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence 53 2.6.4.6 The intrapersonal intelligence 57 2.6.4.7 The interpersonal intelligence 61 2.6.4.8 The naturalist intelligence 63 2.7 Summary 65 Chapter 3 Research design and methodology 3.1 Introduction 67 3.2 Research aims 67 3.3 Research design 68 3.4 Research methods 70 3.4.1 Selection of participants 71 3.4.2 Visit to the USA 74 3.5 Data collection 75 3.5.1 Computer generated brain profile assessment 75 3.5.2 Content analysis 77 3.5.3 Direct observation and participant observation 78 vi 3.5.4 Field observations, field notes and supplementary techniques 81 3.5.5 Meetings 82 3.5.6 Reports (school records) 83 3.5.7 Questionnaires 83 3.6 Data processing 84 3.7 Validity 85 3.8 Ethical measures 86 3.9 Summary 88 Chapter 4 Data analysis and interpretation 4.1 Introduction 89 4.2 Preliminary observations and informal interviews at an MI school in the USA 90 4.2.1 The New City School 90 4.2.1.1 Background 90 4.2.1.2 Observations at New City School 91 4.3 Findings from a preliminary interview held at the Harvard Graduate School of Education 95 4.4 Results of the case study 97 4.4.1 Background to the case study undertaken in this project 97 4.4.2 Background to and results of the brain profile assessments 100 4.4.3 Content analysis of teachers’ written preparation documents 106 4.4.4 Observation of lesson presentations 112 4.4.5 Observation of teachers’ attitude 120 4.4.6 Regular meetings held with teachers 125 4.4.7 Analysis of the scholastic achievement of the learners 132 4.4.8 Presentation and analysis of the questionnaire data of the grade 8 participants 136 vii 4.5 Challenges experienced in the implementation of an MI approach 141 4.6 Summary 144 Chapter 5 Overview, conclusions and recommendations 5.1 Introduction 147 5.2 Overview of the investigation 147 5.3 Limitations of the study 151 5.4 Conclusions of the study 152 5.4.1 Conclusions drawn from the literature study 152 5.4.2 Conclusions drawn from the case study 152 5.5 Recommendations 156 5.5.1 Recommendations with regard to learners 156 5.5.2 Recommendations with regards to the implementation of an MI approach in a school 156 5.6 Recommendations for further research 159 5.7 Conclusion 160 Bibliography Sources consulted LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1 The different parts of the brain 33 Figure 4.1 The single building of the New City School 91 Figure 4.2 The brain profile assessment results presented as an average for the whole class 101 Figure 4.3 A comparison between the brain profile assessment results of the learners and teachers 103 Figure 4.4 A comparison between learners and teachers’ preferred learning styles 105 viii Figure 4.5 Teachers’ compliance with expectations concerning their preparation 108 Figure 4.6 Teachers’ performance in lesson presentations 116 Figure 4.7 Teachers’ rating on attitude towards change in teaching style/approach 121 Figure 4.8 Teachers’ rating of their observation of others and by others 123 Figure 4.9 General overview of the performance of all staff in terms of the assessed points of performance 124 Figure 4.10 Comparison of academic performance of a previous group of learners’ mid year results 133 Figure 4.11 Academic results of grade 8 learner participants compared after one year of MI instruction 135 LIST OF TABLES Table 3.1 Advantages vs. disadvantages of observations 79 Table 4.1 Rubric used to assess teachers’ performance in terms of preparation 107 Table 4.2 Rubric used for assessing teachers on lesson presentations while being observed by the researchers 114 and fellow teachers Table 4.3 Rubric used to measure teacher attitude in attempts to change teaching style/approach 121 Table 4.4 Rubric used to assess teachers’ willingness to observe others and be observed by others 123 LIST OF ANNEXURES Annexure A Application form used to select and appoint teachers at the New City School Annexure B Transcript of interview conducted with Julie Viens at the Harvard Graduate school of education ix Annexure C Brain profile assessment Annexure D Examples of how preparation forms changed over a period of time Annexure E Teachers observation sheet Annexure F Examples of a number of completed observation forms Annexure G Examples of agendas for teacher meetings Annexure H PowerPoint presentation on MI for teachers x
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