Multiple Intelligences, Constructivism, and Assistive Technology

Gardner developed the theory of Multiple Intelligences, whereby he states that individuals have different intelligences and strengths in a variety of areas. Merrill outlined these areas in a previous posting. Please refer to that post for further explanation of Gardner’s theory.

Constructivism incorporates multiple intelligence theories. Assistive Technology is a tool that students can use to foster the use of their specific area of intelligence. If a student has a high spatial awareness for example, using programs such as Inspiration or drawing functions in Microsoft Word can allow them to show to a greater degree their knowledge.

Another example is if a student has Dysphasia, a condition that affects their expressive language output, they can use internet based technologies such as ‘Crazy Talk’. Crazy Talk is a program that allows people to “Create and control a virtual cast of live talking characters ready to deliver an animated vocal performance for your video, web, mobile or messaging projects.” (http://www.reallusion.com/crazytalk/) Using such a tool can enable a student who has very limited speaking skills to be able to communicate their knowledge in an oral presentation for example to the highest degree of their ability. What we have done is taken the barrier or ‘limit’ out of the equation, allowed the student to have an alternate means of presentation, and thus empowered them to ‘construct’ their own meaning and sense of an assignment. This is what education is all about.