Chapter 5 Learning Log

What?
In class we reviewed key information from Exceptional Students, such as what IDEA and IEP mean (Individuals with Disabilities Act and Individualized Education Plan). We then moved on to cover information about individual differences. We covered five theories of how people learn individually. Spearman's g states there are 2 factors on intelligence: underlying tasks and specific tasks. Cartell's fluid and crystallized states that fluid is the ability to think abstractly and is set beliefs or knowledge. Sternberg's Triarchic theory states that there are 3 factors of intelligence: environment, cognitive processes, and prior knowledge. Distributed Intelligence states that that thinking is enhanced by physical objects. Gardner's Multiple intelligences states that there are 8 specific ways people learn.

So What?
Having an understanding of different ways students learn and even struggles some students will have with learn will help me be a better teacher because I will be aware of how to help them.Knowing different learning preferences will better help me to differentiate for my students. This topic was important to be discussed for the same reasons. Future teachers need to be aware of differentiation and why they need to implement it into their lessons. Differentiating one's lessons helps reach multiple learning types.

Now What?
Having a knowledge of Gardner's Multiple Intelligences will really help me in my classroom. I'll attempt to recognize what intelligence my students are inclined to and focus my lessons towards those learning styles. This will really help my students to grasp the material and probably enjoy doing it because they are able to learn how they prefer. I still feel like I need to work on my understanding of the other theories of intelligence because they were merely defined rather than explained how to implement.