Teaching Literature through Multiple Intelligences-Based Activities

According to Gardner, we have a number of different intellectual strengths, or domains of intelligence, but still one of these intelligences is dominant. Multiple intelligences can increase students' confidence and enthusiasm for learning, improve their academic achievement and change teachers' perceptions of their students' learning abilities. Data were collected using class observations and interview. The researchers identified the dominant intelligence of the intact class of Grade 11 Senior High School students, who were chosen because they're all taking literature subject, through an MI Test. Next, literary readings or videos were uploaded to their EDMODO accounts. These are just lectures in video format and not the differentiated activities developed by the researchers. The students accessed these materials and based from what they have learned they were tasked to make group outputs using their multiple intelligences which were given face-to-face. Researchers determined how the use of MI activities helped the students in their literature lessons by observation. Students were first taught in the traditional method of teaching. The researchers observed the number of learners participating. After the second week, students were then subjected to classes with activities based on their MI. Students were interviewed about their feedback and perceptions regarding such strategy in the class. The researchers found out that using Multiple Intelligence-based activities make students feel confident therefore making them active. However, although MI-based activities are helpful, they have the tendency to only focus on the strength of the students and it may neglect the improvement of the students' weaknesses.